TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin is out indefinitely following surgery on a facial bone fractured in a helmet-to-helmet hit during last Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the surgeon who operated the wide receiver's fractured sinus on Thursday night told him that a hockey player who underwent a similar procedure was playing 10 days later.

"And that's a violent sport, too," Whisenhunt said Friday. "The doctor felt like it would give him the quickest chance to get back."

Boldin was ruled out of Sunday's home game against the Buffalo Bills.

The NFL suspended Jets safety Eric Smith for one game and fined him $50,000 for the hit. Second-year pro Steve Breaston, who caught nine passes for 122 yards last Sunday, is starting in Boldin's place.