Justin Fields is back in the saddle after a week away.
The New York Jets quarterback passed concussion protocol and is set to start Monday night against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Aaron Glenn said.
Fields was a full participant in practice all week as he worked his way through the league's concussion protocol, and by the weekend passed the final hurdle to receive clearance to suit up for Gang Green's prime-time divisional tilt.
He returns to a team in dire need of a boost, currently sitting at 0-3 with its season already on the precipice.
Fields quarterbacked New York for roughly a game and three quarters thus far, with polar-opposite performances in his two outings. During the season opener versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, he went 16 of 22 for an impressive 72.7 completion percentage while tallying 218 passing yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 48 yards and another two scores in a high-scoring, losing effort.
Instead of building on that success, Fields floundered the following week against the Buffalo Bills, completing just 3 of his 11 pass attempts for 27 yards and fumbling twice. The Jets were trailing, 30-3, when he suffered a concussion eight seconds into the fourth quarter. Backup Tyrod Taylor finished the game under center, and after Fields was unable to practice or clear concussion protocol, took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the Week 3 starter. He, too, was unable to add a tally to the good column.
The Jets are now in danger of putting together a winless September in Aaron Glenn's first month as head coach.
However, Monday marks an opportune matchup for New York to get on track.
Miami, likewise an 0-3 squad through three games, has been struggling mightily. The Dolphins offense ranks 25th in points scored and the defense sits last in the league in points given up, with weaknesses against both the pass (21st in yards allowed) and run (28th).
The dual-threat Fields, fully back and healthy, has the potential to exploit the Fins on multiple fronts.
It's something New York will be counting on when it takes on Miami at 7:15 p.m. ET to kick off a Monday night doubleheader.
