QB Justin Fields placed on IR with Jets future uncertain - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Justin Fields' first season with the New York Jets — and, quite possibly, his last — is officially over.

The former starting quarterback was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, an ignominious cap to a disappointing season.

Fields, who was benched Nov. 17, has been bothered in recent weeks by what the team called knee «soreness.» He returned to practice last week but told reporters that he still wasn't healthy enough to play. He was inactive for the past three games.

«Man, we tried to see how we can get this to work, but it wasn't getting as better as we would like it,» coach Aaron Glenn said. «So, we want to make sure we get a focus on that to make sure we get him better.»

In all likelihood, Fields wouldn't have played anyway.

He reported soreness two weeks after his benching and hasn't played since. He was replaced by Tyrod Taylor, who got hurt in his third start. That led the Jets (3-12) to undrafted rookie Brady Cook, who will make his third start Sunday against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.

There's a good chance the Jets will part ways with Fields in the offseason.

The former Chicago Bears first-round pick signed a two-year, $40 million contract in free agency and was named the starter in the offseason, but he fell short of modest expectations.

Fields went 2-7 as the starter, ranking 28th out of 32 qualified passers in Total QBR (37.3) — below his career mark (45.3). He passed for only 505 yards in his past five starts, prompting Glenn to bench him.

Glenn declined to comment on whether Fields will need surgery. He also wouldn't address Fields' future, saying he's focused on New England.

«Any player that doesn't have the season that we would like for them to have, it's always