Jets QB Justin Fields returns to practice on limited basis a day after dislocating his toe

NEW YORK — Just a day after he left the practice field in a cart, Justin Fields returned to the practice field on Friday morning.

Fields dislocated his toe early Thursday during 11-on-11 drills, but he is considered day-to-day.

To begin Friday’s practice, Fields was seen jogging, showing no noticeable limp from his injury. He also signed autographs for fans on the first day Gang Green supporters were able to watch a training camp practice session this summer.

However, Fields was held out of practice and did no participate in 11-on-11 or individual drills.

“I want to make sure that, between all of us, that we have a conversation to see exactly what needs to be done for him to get ready to come back,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said of Fields. “I mean it is early, but, also, we want to make sure we get as many reps as we can with him.

“When he’s ready to come back, we’ll make sure he’s on the field and make sure he’s getting those reps in. He’s going to be in meetings, he’s going to be in all of those things, but for the most part, we’re going to work together and make sure it’s collaborative as far as when he gets back on the field.”

Fields kept his helmet on most of Friday’s practice despite observing from the sideline. Veteran Tyrod Taylor led the first unit, with Adrian Martinez and rookie Brady Cook also receiving more snaps in Fields’ absence.

But teammates enjoyed just having Fields back on field even if he wasn’t practicing.

“Obviously, him being on the field brings together energy to the team,” Taylor said. “He’s one of our leaders, and, obviously, him not being hurt for a long time was also good news as well, too.

“So, seeing him energized and back on the field, ready to compete, I’m sure he would’ve went today if it was up to him, that’s the competitor that he is. But yeah, it was good to have him out there.”

Fields suffered the injury when it appeared a teammate stepped on his foot on a pass to tight end Jeremy Ruckert during the fifth play of 11-on-11 drills on Thursday. He sat on the field holding his foot after the play and later limped to the sideline where he was checked out by trainers. Fields then sat in the passenger seat of a cart that took him inside the Jets’ facility, where he walked under his own power.

“Obviously, you don’t want your quarterback to go down,” Jets left guard John Simpson said. “Once I heard the news, I was like, ‘OK, that’s good.’ Obviously, it is not good, but it is good.

“Just having him back out on the field and stuff like that, just his presence, it means a lot. I’m always trying to pick him up, talk to him and stuff like that. I’m glad that he’s good.”

Glenn thought Fields’ injury was overblown, saying “huge storm that was created really made no sense.” He was initially concerned, but he kept the mindset of next man up, which is Taylor in this case.

“Well, the thing is, I don’t think like that,” Glenn said. “The only thing I think about is, ‘OK, the next guy that’s up has to get ready to operate.’ And that’s just what it is. That’s how this league is, and I told you guys, I went through that before.”

The Jets haven’t been specific about which toe Fields injured on Thursday, but it is not his big toe, which is positive. Throughout his career, Fields has been known for using his legs to evade pass rushers and tacklers. Fields is one of three quarterbacks in NFL history — along with Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson — who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season.

Since he was drafted in 2021, Fields has gained 2,509 yards on the ground. Jackson, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen are the only other QBs who have rushed for more yards during that span.

The Jets are hoping Fields can not only be a dynamic player with his legs, but he can continue to improve as a passer. Last season in six starts for the Steelers, Fields went 4-2. He completed 65.8% of his passes, which was a career high, and threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, including $30 million in guaranteed money in March hoping he can be the latest quarterback to revitalize his career in a new location following three seasons with the Bears and one with the Steelers.

The Jets have one of the better backup quarterback situations in the league in Taylor, 35, who is the oldest player on their roster and has played on seven teams in what will be his 15th season. Taylor had a good practice on Friday after finding Garrett Wilson and Mason Taylor for touchdowns during 7-on-7 drills.

However, Taylor did throw an interception to safety Andre Cisco to end practice.

“I think the offense made a lot of plays today,” Taylor said. “I think we moved the ball. Obviously, it was a situational day, red zone and two-minute.

“Only thing that I’d take back is the decision that I made on the last play, but other than that, I think every period we did a bunch of good. There’s always stuff to pull from, stuff to correct, but ultimately, the offensive line did a great job of setting the gaps up front, running backs made plays in the running game, as well as the wide receivers made plays when the opportunities came to them outside, and we pushed the ball down the field when we could.”