Justin Fields appears to have sidestepped the Curse of The Jets Quarterback even if he couldn’t get out of the way of a teammate stepping on his foot.
Fields suffered a dislocated toe in his right foot and is considered day-to-day after undergoing medical testing, the Jets announced.
The first-year Jets starter is expected to return well in advance of Week 1, which is the best-case scenario after Fields left Thursday’s practice riding in a cart and set off alarms.
It was just Fields’ second training camp practice with the team after signing a two-year, $40 million contract this offseason.
An exact timeline for Fields’ return to the field is unclear and any missed days are crucial as he learns a new NFL offense under new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
Fields, 26, is reliant on his legs as one of the top running quarterbacks in the league as he flashed star-like potential in stints with the Bears and Steelers over five seasons.
With Fields sidelined, veteran Tyrod Taylor took over the first-team snaps.
“Tyrod’s been in this league 14 years. With the leadership he brings, we’re all good,” head coach Aaron Glenn said. “I think the most important part is that if anything does happen to Justin, I don’t think there’s any dropoff as far as what we want to do when it comes to play call.
“They’re very similar when you talk about skillset, that was very enticing to us. And the things we heard about him, I played against him before, and you could just tell the players really gravitate to him when he says something. He’s been around this league a long time and he knows what it takes to win, and he’s a really good person. We’re all excited to have that guy here.”
Justin Fields left practice early due to a toe injury. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
The injury came on just the second play of 11-on-11 work and Fields hobbled to the sideline without putting any weight on his right leg, immediately setting off concerns of a serious injury.
Fields then took a cart and entered the training area.
Fields is the clear starter for the Jets this year — a different situation after batting Russell Wilson throughout Steelers training camp last season, claiming the job to start the season after the veteran suffered a calf strain.
“I think you don’t have to worry about as much,” Fields, who was ultimately replaced by Wilson as the starter, said of his experience with the Jets.
“You know, last year, like I said, it was kind of in a weird position, but I think, you don’t have to do as much thinking and you kind of just know where you are and focus on getting better, focus on leading the team each and every day, so it’s just not as much other stuff going around, so it’s good.”
The Jets open against the Steelers — and old friend Aaron Rodgers — in Week 1 at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 7.
