Not all non-contact practices are created equally for NFL quarterbacks.
Teammates are never allowed to hit the quarterback, but Justin Fields went through individual drills Thursday with a GoPro camera on top of his helmet as a coach swatted at the football with a pad.
That looked like checking the box for a non-contact position-specific practice required in Stage Four of the NFL’s five-stage return-to-participation concussion protocol.
If he recovers well, Fields could be cleared for full football activity and then seen by an independent neurologist as early as Friday and be in line to start Monday against the Dolphins.
The Jets also practice Saturday.
Backup Tyrod Taylor overcame two first-half turnovers to throw two fourth-quarterback touchdown passes and lead a comeback that fell just short last week against the Buccaneers.
But it remains Fields’ job.
“I like where he’s at,” Glenn said. “If he’s cleared, he’s the starter.”
Fields completed 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown and scored two rushing touchdowns in an impressive Jets’ debut. His follow-up was disastrous in a 30-10 Week 2 loss to the Bills and ended with a concussion sustained in the fourth quarter.
“What has to change?” Glenn asked rhetorically about the offense. “We have to start fast.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
