-
Wealthy Cimini
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields will observe for a few weeks with a plastic defend on the skin of his cleats to guard his injured toe. All issues thought of, although, he is “very relieved” that final week’s harm wasn’t main.
“God was searching that day,” Fields mentioned Tuesday in addressing the harm for the primary time.
Fields limped off the sphere final Thursday and was taken by way of cart to the locker room. He mentioned his telephone began blowing up, with buddies checking in to see if it was critical.
There have been some anxious moments, however an MRI and an X-ray revealed a toe dislocation on his proper foot — a comparatively minor harm, particularly because it was the second toe and never the large toe.
“We get our toes stepped on on a regular basis at observe, so it simply felt regular at first after I received stepped on. However I attempted strolling off and it simply felt bizarre, like one thing was caught in my toe,” Fields mentioned. “I did not know what to suppose. I simply knew one thing was fallacious. … Fortunately, they mentioned it was simply dislocated.”
Fields missed one observe, was restricted in one other and returned Monday to staff drills. He mentioned there was preliminary discomfort, however the toe is “working its approach again to 100%.”
The Jets, with a historical past of devastating quarterback accidents, could not afford to lose Fields for a prolonged interval. He is studying new teammates and a brand new offense — his fourth system in 5 years — and he acknowledged that observe reps are essential.
“I positively did not need to miss a lot time,” he mentioned. “That is why I used to be so desirous to get again on the sphere.”
Fields wasn’t significantly sharp Tuesday. It was a run-heavy observe in pads, so he was solely 4-for-8, together with two drops. He took a few sacks by holding the ball too lengthy — a bugaboo from his previous.
It was a sluggish day for the complete offense, however Fields supplied a spark throughout a two-minute drill, scrambling for 9 yards on fourth-and-2. One play later, he threw a 15-yard landing to rookie tight finish Mason Taylor.
First-year coach Aaron Glenn lauded Fields and the offense for rallying late in observe, however he wasn’t happy with the general efficiency. He withheld his analysis of Fields, saying he wanted to observe the movie.
In three-plus practices, Fields has but to ship a lights-out day, nevertheless it beats him sitting out for an prolonged time with harm.
Broad receiver Garrett Wilson, who performed with Fields at Ohio State, mentioned he was “very relieved” to see him again.
“After realizing him for the previous decade, rattling close to now, it is at all times like, ‘When’s he going to be again on the market?’ He is only a robust cat. He is by no means out too lengthy,” Wilson mentioned. “He broke his ribs in opposition to Clemson in faculty and I do not know if he missed a play. So he is that sort of man.”
For now, Fields will observe with safety on his proper foot. Exhibiting it to reporters, he reached down, raised his foot and knocked on the defend.
“It is nearly like a metal toe,” he mentioned, “nevertheless it’s like a plastic toe — safety for a few weeks.”
