The NFL planned this Week 1 game to perfection.
New York Jets. Pittsburgh Steelers. Aaron Rodgers with the Steelers. Justin Fields with the Jets.
The two quarterbacks more or less swapped places in free agency this offseason. It’s a magnificent double revenge game.
Except, Fields’ availability is in question.
This is the latest update from ESPN’s Rich Cimini after Fields was carted off the field at Thursday’s Jets practice:
“Justin Fields’ toe injury is not significant and he shouldn’t be sidelined that long, per source. They’re hopeful that he will be ready for Week 1 against the Steelers.”
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There’s a bit of oxymoronic-ness to those sentences. If the toe injury isn’t significant, why would there be any doubt about Week 1 six-plus weeks away?
Regardless, it’s an interesting subplot.
Fields went 4-2 as Pittsburgh’s starter in 2024 before being benched for Russell Wilson and only being used as a gadget player the rest of the way.
He surely would enjoy the chance to show the Steelers what they’re missing, if he can get back on the field in time.
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