A tense moment at the Jets-Buccaneers joint practice on Tuesday ended with a reassuring update on cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers.
Practice was halted for several minutes after a Jets player had to be carted off on a stretcher and placed into an ambulance. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported the scene as it unfolded, writing: "Practice stopped for several minutes due to an injury.
Can’t see which player but an ambulance is on the scene. Jets players gathered around, deeply concerned.
Being carried off on a stretcher with an IV. Still no identity on the player," Cimini wrote in a series of posts on X.
The early signs pointed away from a football injury, and the presence of the IV suggested the issue may have been dehydration. Stiggers was taken to the hospital anyway as a precaution.
After practice, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn identified Stiggers as the player who went down and described what happened.
"From what I know, he came to the sideline after a play and he actually (passed) out. The good thing is he was conscious, and our guys did a hell of a job, just like most medical staffs around this league do in situations like that, and they took the necessary steps just to make sure that we do everything we can to be on board when it comes to those situations. So he was able to talk, and I want to make sure that I go and see him after this just to make sure I'm good with everything, but for the most part, he was good."
For the Jets, that’s the kind of update that matters most. It was a frightening scene in the moment, but the reporting from practice pointed toward a player needing fluids rather than dealing with a serious on-field injury.
Tuesday’s conditions didn’t help, either. It was hot and humid in Northern New Jersey, with temperatures reaching 81 degrees.
Stiggers appears to be fine and is not expected to miss significant time. He’s an important part of New York’s special teams group and emerged as a gunner for the Jets during the 2025 season.
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