Justin Fields injury update: Jets QB ‘up and down as a passer’ ahead of preseason opener

Justin Fields will be ready to start the Jets preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. However, his status wasn’t always set in stone.

Early in training camp, Fields dislocated his toe and was carted off the field as a precaution. The new New York quarterback said he was relieved that it wasn’t worse. In the practices since, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed that the injury may be affecting his game.

“He’s been up and down as a passer,” Fowler said during an appearance on SportsCenter on Saturday morning. “I talked to someone from the Jets who said he had a nice bounce-back on Thursday. (He) had a couple of rough days but he responded from the pocket, delivering several good throws.

“They have a lot of action coming up, not only preseason games. (The Jets) have two joint practices with the New York Giants over in New Jersey coming up next week.”

The injury happened during the final rep of the first team period when Fields threw a pass to rookie tight end Mason Taylor. After attempting the pass, Fields favored his right foot and limped to the sideline.

The Jets have Tyrod Taylor as the backup quarterback. New York head coach Aaron Glenn is confident that Taylor can get the job done if Fields were to ever go down with a serious injury.

Fowler noted that Fields isn’t able to showcase his skills as a runner during training camp, so he’s had to focus on standing in the pocket and making throws. However, it’s not just because of his toe — but because of the nature of training camp.

“They feel like Fields will be at his best when there are rushers are coming at him with 11 players, where it’s not simulated passing only because of his legs and his ability to move around,” Fowler said. “Between Breece Hall and Fields and their dual-threat running game — they could be lethal.”

Fields has rushed for over 2,500 yards across four seasons in the NFL, and Hall has been knocking on the door of a 1,000-yard rushing season for the past two years.

Fields is entering his first season with the Jets after signing with the franchise back in March. That’s after one year spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers, after three with the Chicago Bears as a former first-round pick by them back in 2021.