FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields returned to practice Thursday, raising hope that he will clear the NFL’s concussion protocol in time to start Monday night against the Miami Dolphins.
“He still has to go through the whole protocol before he’s totally cleared, but I like where he’s at,” coach Aaron Glenn said before practice.
Fields was permitted to participate in noncontact, position-specific drills, per the protocol. If he’s cleared by a club physician, he can return to full football activity involving contact — although quarterbacks always wear red, no-contact jerseys in practice.
Ultimately, an independent neurologist must sign off before Fields can play in a game.
Fields was injured in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was replaced by Tyrod Taylor, who made his first start since 2023.
Taylor completed 26 of 36 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns in the 29-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also had two turnovers, including an interception returned for a touchdown.
Glenn eliminated any doubt about the quarterback situation, reiterating that Fields remains the QB1.
“If he’s cleared, he’s the starter,” the coach said.
The Jets (0-3) are looking for a spark on offense. After a promising performance in Week 1 — 394 total yards in a 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers — the offense has struggled to get started.
In each of the last two games, the Jets didn’t reach the end zone until the fourth quarter, facing large deficits. In Tampa, they made a game of it, scoring two touchdowns (plus one on special teams) to briefly take a one-point lead.
“We have to start fast,” said Glenn, who wants more production out of his running game.
Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract in free agency, was terrific in Week 1. He completed 16 of 22 for 218 yards and a touchdown, adding two more touchdowns on the ground.
Statistically, it was one of the best games of his career. A week later, he produced a career-low Total QBR (1.1) in a 30-10 loss to the Bills. He completed only three of 11 for 25 yards.
Starting wide receiver Josh Reynolds, who missed two games with a hamstring strain, returned to practice and will likely play against the Dolphins (0-3).
