New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was carted off the field Thursday morning after injuring his foot during training camp practice.
The incident occurred during Fields’ fifth snap in team drills, when he threw an incomplete pass to tight end Jeremy Ruckert and then went down. The 25-year-old signal-caller, entering his first season with the Jets, sat on the turf briefly before limping to the sideline with the assistance of a trainer.
Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that Fields injured his right foot but said the full extent of the injury is not yet known. “It was a quick throw,” Glenn said after practice. “I’m assuming someone stepped on his toe, just based on the play call. But we’ll check the film to be certain.”
After being evaluated in the medical tent, Fields was taken off the field on a cart and escorted into the team facility. He was able to get up on his own before going inside for further testing.
Following the injury, Glenn halted team drills and shifted the session to special teams work. “Any time a player gets hurt, it hits me hard,” he said. “But I want to get all the information before jumping to conclusions.”
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets in March after spending last season with the Steelers. He’s projected to be the team’s starting quarterback this year.
Veteran Tyrod Taylor, who turns 36 next month and is the oldest player on the roster, stepped in to take Fields’ place in drills. Glenn expressed full confidence in Taylor’s ability to lead the offense if needed. “There’s no real drop-off in terms of what we want to do,” he said. “Their skill sets are similar, and Tyrod brings that leadership quality. The players really respond to him—so do the coaches.”
The Jets also have Adrian Martinez, the 2024 United Football League MVP, and rookie Brady Cook on the roster. Neither has played in an NFL regular-season game. Martinez does have some familiarity with the current offensive system, having spent time in training camp with the Detroit Lions last year under coordinator Tanner Engstrand, now with the Jets.
If Fields ends up being out for an extended period, New York may consider adding another veteran quarterback to the depth chart.
News of the injury quickly spread across social media, sparking concern among fans who recall recent quarterback misfortunes. Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles injury just four snaps into the 2023 season derailed the Jets’ playoff hopes, and in 2022, Zach Wilson missed the start of the season with a knee injury.
Glenn urged fans not to panic. “I’ve dealt with this before,” he said, referencing his time managing injuries as defensive coordinator in Detroit. “I know how social media can spin things quickly. But we’ve got a locker room full of guys who are hungry to win—and guys who are learning how to win. My job is to lead them forward, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
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