The Carolina Panthers face the winless New York Jets on Sunday, but quarterback Justin Fields has admitted to playing through a leg contusion since the end of September
14:53 ET, 16 Oct 2025Updated 14:53 ET, 16 Oct 2025
Justin Fields has been dealing with fitness issues since Week 4(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields has admitted that he’s been playing through a leg contusion since the Week 4 defeat to the Miami Dolphins.
The Jets are the only winless team in the NFL after suffering six straight losses to start the season. The latest defeat came against the Denver Broncos in London, and head coach Aaron Glenn admitted that Fields had a ‘bad game’ overseas.
Fields has faced criticism this season, but Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner defended the Jets’ signal caller. However, Fields may have been restricted in recent weeks after opening up about discomfort in his legs.
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The Jets face the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, and though postseason football already seems impossible, the atmosphere could become toxic if New York falls to 0-7. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, Fields admitted he underperformed against the Broncos.
“Of course, super-frustrated,” Fields said after Wednesday’s practice. “The defense played a hell of a game, the offense, we came up short, and me personally, I did.
“It’s no secret. I didn’t play well, and that’s what it is. It’s just getting back on track.”
Fields was targeted heavily against the Broncos in London(Image: Copyright – 2025 The Denver Post, MediaNews Group.)
Fields then revealed that he was slower than usual in London, adding: “I just think my feet, starting from the ground up, caused me to play a little bit slower, get through my progressions a little bit slower. My sequence was off a little bit.
“So I’m really just focused on my feet because everything starts from the ground up.” Fields then went into more detail about his fitness concerns, claiming he hasn’t been 100 percent since facing the Dolphins in Week 4.
“The past couple of weeks my legs haven’t been feeling the best,” Fields said. “I got kind of a huge contusion versus Miami, I was working through that the past couple of weeks.
“Over time, I’m getting better, and my legs are kind of getting back under me.” Although Fields is close to being fully fit, the Jets have been handed a major blow ahead of Sunday’s game.
Garrett Wilson will likely be out until Week 10 with a knee injury(Image: 2025 Megan Briggs)
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson suffered a hyperextended knee injury against the Broncos and will be out for several weeks. Wilson attempted to finish the game against Denver, but was seen rotating between the sidelines and joining the offense on the field.
The Jets have a bye in Week 9, meaning Wilson could return for Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns. Wilson is expected to miss games against the Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Wilson is the Jets’ top receiver and arguably their best player, but Fields must prioritize other targets. Josh Reynolds is also dealing with a hip issue, and if he can’t play on Sunday, Allen Lazard, Arian Smith, Tyler Johnson and Isaiah Williams will be the only healthy receivers on the 53-man roster.