Aaron Glenn has been mum on who the Jets quarterback will be against the Bengals.
The coach said he knows who will start against Cincinnati and Jets players aren’t given any hints about who will be under center on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Justin Fields said he and Tyrod Taylor are both splitting first-team reps this week in practice. Taylor isn’t sure what his role will be against the Bengals, but he is preparing as if it’s any other week.
“I have no anticipation for it,” Taylor said. “My mind and my sole focus is being available and ready to lead this team when called upon.”
When asked whether he’s starting against the Bengals, Taylor said, “I don’t know.”
After benching Fields for Taylor last Sunday in the 13-6 loss to the Panthers, Glenn wants to have a competitive advantage by keeping who will start at quarterback for the Jets a secret. Fields was abysmal once again after completing 6-of-12 passes for 46 yards. This came a week after he was sacked nine times and finished 9-of-17 for 45 yards.
Taylor wasn’t much better, but he still gave Jets receivers opportunities for explosive plays downfield. He completed 10-of-22 passes for 126 yards and two interceptions.
It is trending towards Taylor getting his second start of the season. His first start came in Week 3 after Fields was ruled out due to a concussion he suffered the prior week against the Bills.
But Taylor, 36, is also dealing with a bit of an injury himself. He was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
It was the same knee that Taylor had arthroscopic knee surgery on in August, which caused him to miss the entire preseason. He took a helmet to his knee against the Panthers, but Taylor says he is “OK” to play against the Bengals.
“I’m listening to the trainers,” Taylor said. “I’ve been at practice.”
Glenn told reporters on Monday that he would seek advice from his staff and other coaches who have been in a similar situation before deciding on his quarterback.
“We will have a quarterback on Sunday,” Glenn said. “I will tell you that.”
The following day, Jets owner Woody Johnson ripped Fields while speaking at the NFL Fall Meetings in Manhattan, blaming the team’s 0-7 start on the quarterback’s inept play.
“It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that he’s got,” Johnson said. “I mean, he has the ability, but something just is not jiving. If we can just complete a pass, it would look good.”
Whoever gets the start against the Bengals, they will be trying to turn around an offense that’s been among the worst in the league. The Jets rank near the bottom of several offensive categories. Gang Green is dead last in passing yards per game (143.4). The team also ranks 29th in total yards (271.3) and 27th in points (18.4).
The Jets have just seven touchdowns in their last six games and haven’t scored a touchdown since Week 5.
“It starts with me just doing my job,” Taylor said. “And asking obviously everyone else on the offense, all 11 of us, to execute our job efficiently.
“We don’t have to be more than what the moment calls for. It’s about us executing one play at a time. And that’s us being on the same page, believing in one another, believing in the scheme, and going out there and playing free.”
JETS COULD BE WITHOUT WEAPONS
Rookie tight end Mason Taylor popped up on the Jets’ injury report on Thursday after he missed practice due to a quad injury. Taylor fully practiced on Wednesday.
If Taylor misses the game against the Bengals, that will further hinder an offense that hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 5. The Jets have also averaged 8.5 points the last two weeks.
Star wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) also hasn’t practiced this week and appears he could miss his second consecutive game. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and running back and returner Kene Nwangwu are both in concussion protocol. Linebacker Cam Jones (hip), tight end Stone Smartt (quad), and defensive tackle Jat Tufele also did not practice on Wednesday.
Jets running back Breece Hall (knee) was limited for the second straight day. Pass rusher Jermaine Johnson (ankle) and Qwan’tez Stiggers (hip) both fully participated.
