Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The New York Jets will have their starting quarterback back under center Monday night in Miami. Justin Fields, who suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, has officially cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will return for the Jets’ primetime clash with the Dolphins.
Fields Back After Week 2 Injury
Fields was injured late in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ loss to Buffalo when his head slammed to the turf on a hit by defensive end Joey Bosa. He entered concussion protocol and missed last week’s narrow 29-27 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After being evaluated by an independent neurologist, Fields was cleared on Friday. He practiced fully for three consecutive days and was removed from the protocol. Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed Saturday: “Justin is playing.”
Jets Offense Looking for a Spark
The Jets’ offense sputtered in Fields’ absence. Tyrod Taylor filled in last week, completing 26 of 36 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw a costly pick-six. Despite a late rally, New York fell to 0-3.
Fields’ return gives the Jets a chance to rediscover the explosiveness they showed in Week 1 against Pittsburgh, when he threw a touchdown and rushed for two more as the Jets piled up 394 yards in a 34-32 loss.
Since then, however, the ground game has stalled. Breece Hall ran for 107 yards in the opener but has totaled just 50 yards over the past two weeks. Glenn has been blunt about what needs to change: “We have to run the ball better. I have an expectation of this team on how we operate, and I’m not going to stand down from that.”
High Stakes for Fields
Every snap matters for Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million free-agent contract with New York this offseason, including $30 million guaranteed. On his third team in three years, he is essentially auditioning to be the Jets’ long-term answer at quarterback.
His Week 1 performance showed promise — 16-of-22 passing for 218 yards plus three total touchdowns. Week 2 was a regression, as he completed just three passes for 27 yards before exiting with the concussion.
The Jets are trying to avoid their first 0-4 start since 2020. Meanwhile, Miami is also winless (0-3) but holds history on its side: the Jets haven’t beaten the Dolphins in Miami since 2014.
Injury Updates
The Jets will enter the game missing key defensive pieces, as edge rusher Jermaine Johnson (ankle) and newly acquired cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (ankle) won’t play. On the positive side, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, safety Tony Adams, running back Kene Nwangwu, and defensive tackle Jay Tufele will return.
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