New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields returned to practice Thursday. If he clears the NFL’s concussion protocol, he’ll start Monday night in Miami against the Dolphins, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters.
“If he’s cleared, he’s starting,” Glenn said simply.
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Fields suffered a concussion during the fourth quarter of a Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills when he was sacked by Bills defensive end Joey Bosa. The injury cut short a miserable performance by Fields, who had completed just 3 of 11 passes for 27 yards, only a week removed from his impressive, three-touchdown Jets debut in a 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Veteran Tyrod Taylor replaced Fields, finished out the 30-10 setback to the Bills and went on to start New York’s Week 3 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Although Taylor completed 26 of 36 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns, he also committed a pair of second-quarter turnovers, first losing a fumble and then throwing a pick 6. The Jets rallied in the second half and even ran back a blocked field goal to take the lead in the final two minutes of the game. But another Bucs field goal try dashed New York’s hopes as time expired, handing the Jets a 29-27 loss, their third straight defeat to start the year.
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Before Fields can play in a game again, he has to get the green light from an independent neurologist.
In accordance with concussion protocol, Fields was allowed to participate in non-contact, position-specific drills Thursday. Once a club physician clears Fields, he can get back to full football activity.
“He still has to go through the whole protocol before he’s totally cleared, but I like where he’s at,” Glenn said of the 26-year-old, dual-threat quarterback prior to practice Thursday.
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets in the offseason. After leading the Steelers to a 4-2 record at the beginning of last season, the 2021 No. 11 overall pick was replaced by Russell Wilson. Before that, Fields started 38 games for the Chicago Bears.
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Glenn’s Jets took a swing on Fields reaching his full potential in New York.
He wasn’t available last week, but there’s a chance he will be Monday if he keeps progressing in the concussion protocol.
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