Justin Fields’ latest injury admission might explain his Jets struggles

It's been a difficult few weeks for New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields. The former Chicago Bears first-round pick has been the recipient of intense criticism from fans and media alike, much of which has understandably been deserved.

Fields is fresh off one of the most inept performances by a Jets quarterback in recent memory in his team's ugly 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 6. He completed just nine passes for 45 yards and was sacked a staggering nine times in the London outing.

After a stellar Week 1 performance that might have been the best of his NFL career, Fields has failed to recapture that same magic, and there have been increasing calls for him to be benched in favor of veteran backup Tyrod Taylor.

But as it turns out, Fields may not be playing at 100 percent. The Ohio State product told reporters on Wednesday that he suffered a "huge contusion" in the Miami game two weeks ago and his legs "haven't been feeling the best" since.

While it doesn’t excuse all of his struggles, it does offer some context for his steep drop in rushing production, and perhaps helps explain the absurd number of sacks he’s taken.

Justin Fields injury could partially explain his Jets struggles in recent weeks

There has been a noticeable drop-off in Fields' effectiveness as a runner since that Dolphins game. Fields has rushed for just 57 yards on 14 carries over the last two weeks for an average of just over 4.0 yards per attempt.

That's a stark decline from his first three games of the season, where he rushed for 178 yards on 24 attempts for an average of nearly 7.5 yards per carry, of course, aided by his 43-yard scramble against Miami.

And even when Fields has used his legs over the last two weeks, it’s been almost entirely on scrambles. The Jets have rarely called designed runs for their quarterback lately, and on the few option plays they’ve run, Fields has seldom kept the ball himself.

Fields clearly doesn't trust his legs right now, and it's affecting every aspect of his game. This is a quarterback who has always had trouble processing and getting the ball out quickly. This apparent injury has only exacerbated those issues.

A slow-processing quarterback with a sluggish release and limited lower-body drive due to shaky legs is a recipe for disaster, and the Jets have witnessed that firsthand over the last few weeks.

It also neutralizes Fields’ greatest strength as a quarterback — his athleticism and rushing ability. He’s been forced to operate more as a traditional drop-back passer, and it’s become painfully obvious he’s not built for that role.

The good news is that Fields said he's feeling better this week, which should provide a glimmer of optimism as the Jets approach their Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers.

Tanner Engstrand and the Jets’ offensive staff need to do a better job of getting Fields on the move and leveraging the aspects of his game that make him one of the most dynamic athletes to ever play quarterback in the NFL.

If not, the calls for a permanent benching will only grow louder. This could be Fields’ final opportunity to prove he can succeed as a starting quarterback in the NFL.