The New York Jets have been an interesting team over the past few seasons, and not always in the best light. This morning, a quarterback they signed to a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason, Justin Fields, was carted off the field with an injury. With all the pieces of the puzzle not yet revealed, let’s take a look at some instant reactions to the news this morning and what it could mean for the team.
Jets’ QB’s Injury
Justin Fields was carted off after suffering an injury during practice this morning. When you immediately see the phrase “carted off”, initially, people think the worst. Could it be a hamstring or a ligament injury? Most teams use the cart regardless of the injury, even if it’s in the lower body. The New York Jets’ head coach, Aaron Glenn, told reporters later that Fields suffered a toe injury and he is still being examined.
As new information is obtained, the diagnosis is that Fields suffered a dislocated toe after being stepped on during practice. It is a non-big-toe injury. It could have been a lot worse, despite the severity still being unclear. All the vibes surrounding the Jets are that he will be fine for Week 1, but let’s dive deeper into what it means for the Jets.
What Does This Mean for New York?
This is where we play the waiting game. With Fields’ initial diagnosis being a dislocated toe, the injury gods flip a coin, and the Jets hold their breath. If this team wants to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2010, it starts with their QB. New York recently extended contracts for its two superstars, Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner. Fields can be the quarterback of the immediate future. If he has to miss time to start the season, Tyrod Taylor has been more than a serviceable backup in the NFL.
With Week 1 being at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, if Fields is a game-time decision or still not 100%, I would sit him. Now, with the season still being 45 days away, this is a worst-case scenario. Perhaps the injury is something that requires a few weeks of rehabilitation, and he will be fine. However, you don’t want to force him back against a team with a dominant defensive front, especially when his mobility isn’t all the way there.
What Does the Injury Mean for Justin Fields?
Outside of the competitive fire that is inside most professional athletes, it’s a setback. Joining the Jets this offseason after a solid stint in Pittsburgh, I was excited to see how he looked in the New York Green. From a pure talent perspective, he is a well-above-average player in the NFL. His ability to be elusive in the pocket and is able to make something out of nothing plays. Plays that only a few players have made in the history of the league. Now, with all the good he can bring, you also have to deal with the bad.
His inability to process information and read coverages like some of his peers has been one of the reasons Fields is on his third team in three years. Now, at 26, he still has plenty of room to grow. Hopefully, it is with the Jets. This could be the team and organization to build around him properly, and they can propel each other into making the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
Final Thoughts
It pains the sports world to see athletes suffer injuries. We are all hoping and praying that the Jets’ QB’s injury is as minor as possible. Hopefully, it will require a few weeks of rehabilitation and surgery will be avoided altogether. As a Steelers fan, I would have loved to see Fields be in Pittsburgh long-term. But I hope he finds success in New York.
As always, thank you for checking out my instant reaction to Justin Fields’ injury and what it could mean for the New York Jets. Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.
