The Jets play at Miami on Monday night. The team has begun to practice for the game but still does not know for sure who will be starting at quarterback. Justin Fields returned to the practice field on Thursday, but he still hasn’t been cleared to play in Week 4 as he recovers from a concussion. Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that Fields will play if medically cleared.
You might be wondering about how a player can be cleared to practice but not yet cleared to play in a game. The answer is simple. Quarterbacks cannot be hit in practice so the threshold to be medically cleared is lower than it is to play in a game.
The fact Fields is getting first team reps as the team begins installing its game plan for the week is a sign that the team is optimistic he will be cleared in time for the game. A bit of uncertainty might help the Jets in this one. Fields and Tyrod Taylor have different styles as quarterbacks. A defense will likely gameplan differently for a game where Fields is starting than it would when Taylor starts. The mystery could be beneficial for the Jets.
