Jets deliver worst-case scenario update on Justin Fields injury for Week 3

The New York Jets' nightmare week just got a bit worse with the news that quarterback Justin Fields has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay due to a concussion suffered during last week's humiliating 30-10 loss to Buffalo.

What was already shaping up as a challenging Week 3 matchup against the Buccaneers has now become a potential disaster for a team desperately searching for any sign of hope.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters on Wednesday that Fields is still in concussion protocol and has already been ruled out for Sunday's game. That's not an encouraging sign, given that we're still four days away from kickoff.

Glenn announced that veteran backup Tyrod Taylor, who came in to replace Fields this past Sunday, will start at quarterback against the Bucs. It will be Taylor's first start as a member of the Jets.

Justin Fields injury forces Jets to rethink their offense with Tyrod Taylor

After an encouraging Week 1 performance that was arguably the best of his NFL career, Fields imploded in his second Jets start. The former Ohio State star completed just three passes for 27 yards before leaving the game due to injury in the fourth quarter.

Fields posted a career-worst -0.58 EPA per attempt, which was the lowest of his professional career against the Bills, but you probably don't need analytics to prove the Jets' starting quarterback was unplayable in Week 2.

We've now seen the full spectrum of the Justin Fields experience. Unfortunately, the former Bears first-round pick won't have a chance to put together a bounce-back performance in Week 3, as it will be Taylor starting in his place.

Taylor has started 58 career games over 15 years in the NFL, with his last start coming as a member of the New York Giants in the team's 2023 season finale. He made two garbage-time appearances in relief of Aaron Rodgers last season.

It's unclear how much time Fields will be forced to miss, but it's not an encouraging sign that he's already been ruled out on Wednesday. There's a real chance he's forced to miss multiple weeks.

Fields will need to be symptom-free and pass cognitive tests before progressing through light aerobic activity, supervised strength training, non-contact football activities, and finally full practice participation.

For now, the Jets will turn to Tyrod Taylor as he attempts to steady the ship and return the team's offense to its Week 1 glory.

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