How long is Justin Fields out? Concussion timeline, return date, latest updates on Jets QB

Teddy Ricketson

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How long is Justin Fields out? Concussion timeline, return date, latest updates on Jets QB image

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was tackled and hit the ground hard late in the Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon.

Field's head bounced off the ground, and he was forced to come off the field. After he was briefly looked at on the sideline and in the blue medical tent, Fields was taken into the locker room and evaluated for a concussion. It was confirmed by the team following the game.

Fields exited with the game well in hand for the Bills in the fourth quarter.

On the Monday after the Jets' Week 2 loss, head coach Aaron Glenn announced that Fields entered concussion protocol to begin Week 3.

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Fields ended up missing the Jets' Week 3 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which New York lost 29-27. The Jets are on Monday Night Football in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins, giving the quarterback another day to pass concussion protocol. On Thursday, he was spotted on the practice field for the first time.

Here's the latest updates on whether Fields has passed concussion protocol and whether he'll play against Miami in primetime.

Is Justin Fields playing this week?

Fields cleared the concussion protocol on Saturday morning and is expected to play in the Jets' Week 4 Monday Night Football matchup against Miami. He was a full participant in practice on both Thursday and Friday.
 

How long will Justin Fields be out?

The NFL has a specific set of qualifications that a player must meet to be eligible to return from concussion protocol to game. A player must be cleared by an independent neurologist.

Overall, there are five phases of the NFL's concussion protocol. Symptom-limited activity, aerobic exercise, football-specific exercise, club-based non-contact training drills and then full football activity/clearance. Fields has cleared all prorotcols as of Saturday afternoon

Symptom limited activity

In this phase, players are asked not to engage in much activity. They must rest during this period and limit anything that could aggravate their symptoms. Eventually, players will be allowed to do limited stretching and light aerobic exercises, so long as team training staff are supervising.

Aerobic exercise

Players will start to work on cardio exercises along with stretching and training, with team medical staff supervising. After this phase, players can start working on balance testing.

Football-specific exercise

In the third stage, players can take part in football-specific exercises and start working with the team for up to 30 minutes under supervision. Players are also able to increase their cardio workloads.

Club-based non-contact training drills

Players reaching the fourth stage are able to start throwing, catching and running and engage in position-specific activities. They also can continue to ramp up their exercise and training. By end of this phase, players have to have to finish neurocognitive and balance testing.

Full football activity/clearance

The player has to be cleared by both the team physician and the independent neurological consultant to return to full activity.

When Fields is able to return is up to him and how well he recovers from the potential concussion and then being cleared by an independent neurologist. 

Week 4 Update: Fields has been spotted at practice for the second straight day. He is stretching with the team and according to reporters, he is trending towards playing on Monday night.

Week 3 Update: Head coach Aaron Glenn ruled out Fields for the Jets game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to his concussion. Tyrod Taylor played in his absence.

MORE NFL: Latest injury updates on Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Jets upcoming schedule

Here are the Jets' next five games.

WeekTeam
4at Dolphins (MNF)
5vs. Cowboys
6vs. Broncos (London)
7vs. Panthers
8at Bengals

Teddy Ricketson

Teddy Ricketson is a Digital Content Producer at The Sporting News. He joined the team in 2024 after spending the last three years writing for Vox Media as part of its DK Nation/Network team. Teddy does his best to support the South Carolina Gamecocks and Carolina Panthers, but tends to have more fun cheering on the Atlanta Braves. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, Brooke, and their two dogs, Bo and Hootie.