Maybe there’s an alternate timeline in which the Jets can get through the summer and early fall without an injury scare to their starting quarterback. In which the fans don’t constantly feel like the world is ending, or that they’re resigned to their fate: being a Jets fan means you don’t get to have nice things.
The Jets have now gone zero days without a QB incident, the counter resetting on Thursday when Justin Fields threw an incomplete pass and then slowly sat down on the ground, in pain. He limped off the field. He sat on a cart — in the passenger seat — and was taken into the building.
Nothing that happened in practice from that point on mattered — not even Tyrod Taylor’s perfect throw down the seam to Garrett Wilson during 11-on-11 drills. Then, by some miracle, the apocalypse was called off (or at least postponed). It turns out Fields didn’t tear his Achilles, sprain his ankle or even hurt his big toe — he dislocated one of his other toes, the severity unknown beyond the Jets’ statement asserting that it’s not serious.
UPDATE: After medical evaluation, QB Justin Fields sustained a dislocated toe in his right foot and will be day-to-day. Fields avoided serious injury and significant missed time.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 24, 2025
Fields might miss some valuable practice time, sure, and when he returns, he might not be a full-go right away. But for once, Jets fans, coaches, players and staff can breathe a sigh of relief and say to themselves: crisis averted.
The Jets, historically, haven’t been so lucky in these situations. In 1999, Vinny Testaverde tore his Achilles in Week 1. Aaron Rodgers did the same in 2023. In between, there was Chad Pennington (wrist), Mark Sanchez (shoulder), Geno Smith (jaw) and Zach Wilson (knee) suffering injuries in the preseason that knocked them out for regular-season games. Sam Darnold came down with mononucleosis before a Week 2 game in 2019.
Each of those quarterbacks started their Jets tenures with a degree of hope, but none lasted long after their early-season injuries. There is some hope, especially in the Jets’ building, that Fields has untapped potential, that he can be the quarterback to succeed in a way no Jets quarterback has in the last 14 years — as in, the quarterback to finally get them to the playoffs. He’s imperfect, but the Jets believe in him. Losing him to a significant injury in the second practice of training camp would have been devastating. It also would have felt typical. Every Jets fan’s mind went there on Thursday morning.
“I understand how this league is, and I understand how social media starts to take over and everybody starts to panic,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Thursday. “I understand what the fans go through, I understand what you guys (the media) go through. But it’s really early, it’s really early — and we have a lot of time.”
Cornerback Brandon Stephens said he didn’t even realize Fields was carted off. Offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker only noticed when Taylor came in for reps with the starters. Life goes on, even when the quarterback goes down. Jets veterans like Vera-Tucker, who has been here since 2022, know that better than most.
For once, the Jets found some semblance of luck — or at least their version of it. By all accounts, Fields is off to a promising start; at the start of spring’s OTAs he was holding onto the ball too long, now he’s playing with a more decisiveness and authority. He’s been winning over teammates and coaches with his approach and work ethic. In the time off between minicamp and the start of training camp, Fields gathered some of the team’s receivers in Florida to work on timing, and to bond.
Fields losing practice reps in this way isn’t ideal, but it’s not a death knell. He’ll be back soon enough. But forgive Jets fans for freaking out. Glenn feels their pain. He said as much on Wednesday.
“I know what it’s like to be a Jet,” said Glenn, who played for the Jets from 1994-2000. “I know the pain, I know all the things that the fans have been through. I might have been gone from here, but I’ve never been gone in spirit, so I get it. That sticks with me a ton.
“I understand the pain and I’m hoping, I’m praying — and I expect to make sure that pain goes away. I think about that every day.”
Less than 24 hours later, Fields fell to the ground.
But the quarterback is OK. The Jets live to fight another day. And fans can breathe easy, at least for a little while.
(Photo: John Jones / Imagn Images)
