With the New York Jets’ Week 1 matchup only 15 days away, the team is encouraged about the health of backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who missed the preseason after undergoing a knee scope earlier this month.
Speaking to the media following the Jets’ 19-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason finale, head coach Aaron Glenn said that he is “confident” Taylor will be ready for the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I can’t tell you that (when Taylor will return to practice), but I’m confident he’ll be ready for Week 1,” Glenn said.
Taylor, 35, is preparing for his 14th NFL campaign and his second with the Jets. Over the course of his career, he has established himself as one of the league’s most dependable No. 2 quarterbacks, holding a 28-28-1 record as a starter.
Last season, Taylor’s action came mostly in mop-up duty, but he delivered when called upon. He connected on 17 of 22 passes for 119 yards, throwing three touchdowns without an interception.
A former Pro Bowler, Taylor has started games for five franchises and earned a reputation as a steady presence who can protect the football and guide an offense when needed.
The update comes as a relief for New York, given Justin Fields’ durability concerns. The 26-year-old has yet to play a full 17-game slate, and his mobility-driven approach often leaves him vulnerable to hits and sacks that pocket passers typically avoid.
Without Taylor, the Jets would have been forced to lean on inexperienced signal-callers Brady Cook or Adrian Martinez, a scenario that could have left the offense exposed if Fields missed time. Taylor’s expected return eases that concern, giving New York a proven veteran presence behind their starter.
