Jets in QB limbo for Week 3 with Justin Fields in the NFL's concussion protocol
Justin Fields of the New York Jets is helped up during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Justin Fields is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, putting his availability for Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay in doubt.
Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor would start against the Buccaneers if Fields can’t play. The Jets will know more as the week progresses, but they will prepare a game plan for both quarterbacks.
“We have to look at that both ways,” Aaron Glenn said during a Zoom call on Monday. “We'll get more information so we can be more pinpointed on that. But we do have to look at it that way: If Justin can't play then Tyrod will be the guy. We have to make sure we build a plan that's suitable for him.”
If Taylor starts, his backup would be undrafted rookie Brady Cook.
Fields suffered the concussion early in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ 30-10 loss to Buffalo on Sunday. The back of Fields’ head hit the MetLife Stadium turf hard when he was tackled by Joey Bosa after releasing the football. Bosa sacked Fields on the very next play. Fields left the game and shortly thereafter was diagnosed with a concussion.
Fields must go through a five-phase process before he is cleared to fully participate in practice or an NFL game. If Fields is not taking reps by Friday’s practice, Glenn said it would be difficult for him to play.
“It's hard for me as a coach once we get to Friday and you haven't had any reps,” Glenn said. “That's just something that I believe in.”
Fields and the Jets offense had a rough game overall on Sunday. He only completed 3 of 11 passes for 27 yards. They were the fewest completions and least yards that Field has thrown for in 46 career NFL starts.
Taylor finished the game. He was 7-for-11 for 56 yards with one touchdown pass. The 15-year veteran threw a 5-yard score to Lindenhurst’s Jeremy Ruckert. Taylor has led four touchdown drives in the five series he’s played for the Jets the past two seasons.
“Every time Tyrod's come in these last couple of years, he's done a good job,” Ruckert said. “He’s been around countless number of offenses and played with a ton of great guys. We got a lot of confidence in him. He is just a true professional in every way.”
Taylor’s last start was Jan. 7, 2024 for the Giants. Glenn said not much changes if Taylor is the quarterback. He and Fields are both mobile and can get out of the pocket and make plays.
“I don't think it changes that much,” Glenn said. “I said that during camp, that was one of the positive things of having Tyrod as a backup. There are some things that we want to get together as a staff and make sure that we're aligned on as far as this is specifically what Tyrod likes, and that's communication with Tyrod, too.”
Taylor missed much of camp and the preseason after having his knee scoped. Glenn said he’s not worried about Taylor’s lack of reps thus far because of all the football he’s played.
“It doesn't take much for him to understand exactly what we're trying to do and what we're trying to get done,” Glenn said. “I have no concerns of that whatsoever.”
A bigger concern for Glenn was his team’s performance against Buffalo. The Jets were beaten on both sides of the football and beat themselves with penalties, missed tackles and a Fields fumble.
“I hate the way that we played yesterday,” Glenn said. “I just hate the fact that we didn't play the way that I know that we are capable of playing. But know what type of players we have, the type of coaching staff we have, and we're going to do everything we can to try to fix these problems and move forward.”
Glenn also addressed Micheal Clemons’ roughing-the-passer penalty on third-and-19 that extended the Bills’ first drive and led to a touchdown. Clemons tackled Josh Allen high and made contact with his helmet.
“It can't happen,” Glenn said. “That's one of the things that we stressed during the week, and I would say that Mike has done a really good job from training camp going to the season of understanding exactly what we're trying to do . . . I have to go back and make sure I emphasize it again with him.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
