The Jets will have their starting quarterback against the Dolphins.

Justin Fields, who missed last weekend’s game against the Buccaneers due to a concussion, was cleared by doctors on Friday and will start against Miami on Monday Night Football.

“Justin is playing,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Saturday.

Fields entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after he had his head slammed into the turf during the fourth quarter of the Jets’ loss to the Bills in Week 2. He spent over a week in the protocol and practiced fully all three days this week, leading up to the game against Miami.

“Migranes throughout the day, sensitivity to light, that was a big one,” Fields said about his symptoms. “I couldn’t really focus. If I tried to concentrate on a paper, I couldn’t really focus, my head would hurt a little bit. So, just small stuff like that.”

Fields cleared protocol after an independent neurologist examined him and he passed all five concussion protocol steps.

“He’s a dynamic runner,” Glenn said about what Fields brings to the offense. “He’s a smart player. I think in the passing game, it showed exactly what he can do, that first game, and we want to continue to expand on that and continue to get better.”

The Jets’ offense, without Fields, struggled for three quarters against the Buccaneers with veteran QB Tyrod Taylor under center. Gang Green was down 23-6 before Taylor helped the team rally from a 17-point deficit to take a lead following Will McDonald’s game-changing blocked field goal attempt and 50-yard return for a touchdown with 1:49 remaining in the game to take a 27-26 lead. But Tampa Bay won the game 29-27 after Chase McLaughlin converted a 36-yard field goal as time expired.

Taylor finished the game completing 26-of-36 passes for 197 yards with two touchdowns and a crushing pick-six. He also lost a fumble.

In March, the Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, including $30 million guaranteed. After stops with the Bears and the Steelers, Fields is hoping to prove he can be the Jets’ long-term solution at quarterback.

The Jets are trying to avoid their first 0-4 start since 2020. They are hoping Fields’ return can help unlock the rushing attack, which has been nonexistent in the previous two weeks. After registering 182 rushing yards in their Week 1 loss to the Steelers, the Jets have averaged a combined 99.5 yards on the ground against the Bills and Bucs.

“We both have yet to get a win this season, so it’s a big game for both of us,” Fields said. “On a Monday night, there’s not much of a bigger stage either, so I know we’re going in there to win by any means and they’re probably

doing the same thing. So, like I said, we’re excited, we’re prepared, and ready to go.”

Fields played one of the best games of his career in Week 1 against Pittsburgh. He completed 16-of-22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 48 yards and two TDs. However, he was only 3-of-11 for 27 yards against the Bills before exiting the game.

“The mindset has not changed from earlier in the week as far as going to Miami and trying to get a win,” Glenn said. “This week has been a really good week of prep, a really good week of practice.

“We want to end this week on a good note. I understand today is typically a red zone day for us, but one thing that we don’t say around here is the hay is in the barn. We are always getting ourselves ready to go play a game, all the way to the very end.”

Originally Published: September 27, 2025 at 1:25 PM EDT