Jets ‘not worried’ even as Justin Fields’ passing struggles deepen

The Jets are insisting it’s still too early to be concerned about the state of their passing game.

Nevertheless, Justin Fields and the offense put forth a third straight practice on Tuesday in which they badly struggled throughout.

Fields did finish above a 50 percent completion rate Tuesday, hitting 9-of-16 passes, but he completed nothing downfield and threw two interceptions, with a third coming in 7-on-7 drills.

The offense also took multiple false start penalties — another recurring issue in camp — and struggled to get lined up at one point.

“It’s all right,” Fields said afterward. “Some of it’s me, some of it’s dropping the ball, some of it’s just plain and simple things. It’s practice. I’ve been a part of games where we have a red zone Friday, we run a play three times, we don’t hit it one time. Then Sunday comes and we hit it the first time we run it.

“Our guys are talented enough to get the job done. And when we don’t have the days we want to have, it’s just about how we respond.”

One bad practice on its own would be merely a blip on the radar during a long training camp where things are bound to go up and down.

Three in a row, however, is grounds for questioning the state of things, particularly given that Fields is learning a new offense for the fourth time in five seasons and that the Jets are putting much of their hopes in the 26-year-old.

“I don’t [have concern], cause it’s early right now,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “Again, I’m looking to Week 1, right? We have a long time until we get to that point and the type of men that we have, I know our men are gonna pick it up and get going. So I’m not worried at all.”

Byron Cowart was carted off during practice with an ankle injury. Azareye’h Thomas left with a shoulder injury, and Will McDonald IV with back spasms. Tyrod Taylor (knee) and Mason Taylor (high ankle sprain) didn’t practice. Malachi Moore returned to practice from an oblique strain.

Glenn said he’s not concerned Tyrod Taylor’s injury will be long term, but wanted him to complete testing before making a definitive statement on it. Mason Taylor will miss this week.

Fields said his toe is “probably still a little bit swollen,” but not a concern at this point. He also said he wants to at least “see the field” for all three preseason games, starting Saturday in Green Bay.

A group of Glenn’s former teammates with the Jets from the 1990s were in attendance to watch him run practice — including Kevin Mawae, Ray Mickens and Jason Fabini.