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Wealthy Cimini
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — For the New York Jets, who’ve suffered main quarterback setbacks for a wide range of causes through the years, there was a way of aid Thursday once they realized that Justin Fields‘ toe damage from observe is not a full-blown catastrophe.
In 2023, Aaron Rodgers ruptured his left Achilles on the fourth snap of the season. In 2021, Zach Wilson injured his proper knee on a preseason scramble and wanted surgical procedure. In 2019, Sam Darnold contracted mononucleosis in Week 2. In 2015, Geno Smith suffered a jaw fracture after being punched by a teammate in a locker-room fracas.
Fields, alternatively, was stated to have “averted critical damage and vital missed time,” the crew stated in an announcement, calling it a dislocated toe and itemizing him as day-to-day. That is excellent news for a franchise accustomed to the choice. Name it the silver lining.
Now for the not-so-silver lining: Fields will miss useful training-camp reps, which might hamper his progress within the new offense, which, in flip, might stunt the general growth of the unit.
It will depend on how lengthy he is sidelined. Will or not it’s a couple of days? Every week? Two weeks? Know this: The Jets will probably be cautious with their QB1. It is nonetheless very early in coaching camp and there is not any purpose to power the problem.
A couple of days on the shelf is just not an enormous deal, however something past that might be regarding for a participant comparable to Fields, who’s studying a brand new playbook after signing a two-year, $40 million contract in March and hasn’t performed a number of soccer over the previous 12 months. He began the primary six video games (going 4-2) final season for the Pittsburgh Steelers whereas Russell Wilson handled a calf damage.
Then, a wholesome Fields needed to watch Wilson take over for the remainder of the season — beginning with that Week 7 sport towards none apart from the Jets — earlier than leaving as a free agent within the offseason.
Fields wants the work. His teammates want the work with him at quarterback. The coaches have to see him in motion to get a really feel for what he can and might’t do.
All that’s on maintain now.
One factor to look at: The damage occurred on his plant foot, which absorbs the stress of his weight when he drops again to throw.
The well-traveled Tyrod Taylor, 35, will slide into the starter’s position till Fields is able to return. Taylor is likely one of the most revered gamers within the locker room, a veteran of 58 profession begins. He is in all probability a greater pure passer than Fields, however he is not Fields — and the group has made it abundantly clear that Fields is The Man. That declaration was made in March, eliminating any query about its dedication to him.
On Wednesday, coach Aaron Glenn stated of Fields, “He desires to be good, he expects to be good, and I count on him to be good. I simply stay up for how he is continued to function in these camps day-by-day as a result of I feel he’ll be a great one.”
Life strikes quick within the NFL.
On Thursday, Glenn stated, “We have now an impressive backup in Tyrod, who’s been on this league for round 14 years. So the management that he brings — pay attention, we’re all good. We’re all good.”
Give credit score to the first-year coach for deftly dealing with his first dose of adversity, displaying the form of management required for a franchise that has endured a number of onerous occasions. Glenn has a robust will, however he cannot will his offense to have higher chemistry if the beginning quarterback is in a strolling boot.
Everyone knows Fields has a robust rapport with vast receiver Garrett Wilson, his previous Ohio State teammate, however he is nonetheless studying the opposite receivers comparable to Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard. Coaching camp is the time when these on-field bonds are strengthened.
There’s additionally the matter of scheme. Sure, Taylor will function the identical system as Fields, however they’re totally different quarterbacks stylistically.
With Fields beneath middle, they’ll capitalize on his distinctive working skill through the use of RPOs (run-pass choices), freezing defenders and creating lanes for his or her working backs. Taylor, regardless of his age, nonetheless can run, however he is extra of a dropback passer at this stage of his profession.
Once more: The information might’ve been loads worse. There was social-media panic amongst Jets’ followers round 9:25 a.m., when stories of Fields limping off the sphere began to flow into. This can be a fan base conditioned to count on the worst.
However this time, the Jets averted calamity — or so it seems.
