In a rough season filled with quarterback issues, the New York Jets' QB situation is in a new stage.
This week, Brady Cook may be the starter over Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor.
It's not because the Jets want to start the undrafted rookie Cook in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's because Fields and Taylor are both injured.
Fields hasn't practiced Wednesday or Thursday due to a knee injury.
Taylor has missed the first two practices of the week with a groin problem.
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"All signs pointing toward Brady Cook as the starter," ESPN's Rich Cimini wrote on X on Thursday evening.
Cook was a college star at Missouri, but more of a make-things-happen, gritty QB than a toolsy player expected to have NFL success.
The Jets would've loved to keep Cook as QB3 all season long as a developmental player.
But in Week 14, he was forced into action against the Miami Dolphins.
Cook completed 14-of-30 passes for 163 yards and threw two interceptions.
He only ran once, for no gain.
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Cook was a solid athlete who moved well at Mizzou, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him run it a little more after a full week of preparation.
The Jaguars will need a win in this game much more than the Jets, with the Jags having moved atop the AFC South with a win last week and trying to maintain that advantage.
For the Jets, it'll be a chance to see if Cook projects as a long-term backup, which wouldn't be a bad outcome for the franchise for an undrafted free agent.
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