When the New York Jets‘ newly appointed starting quarterback, Justin Fields, stepped up in the pocket, planted his right foot, and suddenly collapsed to the turf. Panic set in. Fields was carted off early in Thursday’s training camp at Florham Park. Doctors confirmed the injury as a dislocated right toe; however, there is no fracture. The drama unfolded quickly: Fields rolled to his right to target tight end Jeremy Ruckert, then dropped to the turf, clearly in pain, but in less than 24 hours, head coach Aaron Glenn addressed the media and injected calm.

Fields went down during team drills after releasing a pass, despite no clear contact on the play. Glenn has suggested Fields may have simply had his toe stepped on by a teammate, but the concerns haven’t faded away. Notably, when carted off, Fields rode in the passenger seat, indicating the injury may not be too serious. While the exact severity remains unclear, Fields has been labeled day-to-day and is expected to return well before the new season starts. Discussing the grit of his star quarterback, Glenn had a smile on his face as he praised his mentality, acknowledging Fields in front of the reporters. Glenn echoed his longstanding philosophy: trust character, not fear narrative.

He told the reporters, “Well, that’s who Justin is. Listen, I’d rather have a guy that I have to hold back than have to tell him to giddy up. So, he’s built like that; he’s a tough man. And I expected that anyway. Once we understand, got the diagnose of exactly what it was, I knew exactly how he’s gonna operate. That’s most of the gas we have.” Fields signed a two‑year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed this offseason.

Fields’ willingness to practice despite the discomfort underscores why the Jets entrusted him with a two‑year, massive contract this offseason. In the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as FTW’s Christian D’Andrea writes, Fields recorded an impressive career high in passer rating (93.3), completion percentage over expected (1.5), and expected points added (EPA) per dropback (-0.01) while maximizing a playbook that dialed back his deep throws in exchange for shorter, safer passes and designed runs.

Whether he’ll return before the preseason opener against the Packers at Lambeau Field is still a question, even in positive terms. In his first year under Glenn’s leadership, Fields is expected to be the offensive centerpiece, with mobility that demands full health. Analysts warn that a prolonged Fields absence could throw the Jets into a real and potentially season-ending QB crisis.

While Aaron Glenn praised Fields’ toughness and expected return, the reality is clear: if the injury sidelines him longer than hoped, the Jets must turn to a backup plan that raises more questions than confidence.

The Jets start looking for backups amid Justin Fields’ injury scare

As detailed by FTW, if Fields is forced to sit, even briefly, the Jets’ quarterback safety net may not be strong enough to catch them. That is where the 14-year NFL veteran Tyrod Taylor enters the conversation. As uncertainty increasingly looms over Fields’ immediate future, Taylor is the Jets’ backup and immediate contingency plan should Fields miss any preseason or regular-season action. With 14 NFL seasons, 58 starts, and a Pro Bowl nod to his name, Taylor is a respected figure in league circles. He’s mobile, accurate, and a steady veteran presence: traits the Jets coaching staff appreciate in a scheme designed around dual-threat quarterbacking.

Glenn even downplayed the idea of a drop-off, “Very similar when you talk about skill set. And then the leadership ability, he’s been in every situation you can imagine. We’re all good.” But the optimism has limits. Taylor, now 35, has dealt with a long history of injuries—concussions, ribs, and even a punctured lung during a freak medical accident in 2020. Brady Cook, an undrafted rookie out of Missouri, is still adjusting to the speed of the pro game. Adrian Martinez, who recently lit up the UFL and earned MVP honors, is a compelling story, but hasn’t taken a snap in an NFL regular-season game. That makes the Jets’ depth chart one of the most fragile in the AFC, especially if Fields isn’t ready for live action soon.

In a league where quarterback stability often defines a team’s fate, the Jets find themselves walking a fine line. Justin Fields’ resilience and rapid return have inspired confidence, but the lack of proven depth behind him remains a looming concern. As preseason approaches and the regular season inches closer, New York must hope Fields stays upright—because while his toughness is undeniable, the Jets’ margin for error at quarterback is razor-thin.