The New York Jets will take on the New England Patriots in Week 17, but had a surprise inactive ahead of kickoff.
Veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor was dealing with a knee injury to start the week, but then missed Friday's practice due to personal reasons. He wasn't given a game designation, but then he didn't participate in warm-ups ahead of the game.
Taylor was ruled inactive on Sunday morning, paving the way for Brady Cook to start another game. New York prepared for this outcome and elevated Hendon Hooker from the practice squad to backup Cook against New England.
Here is a look at the Jets QB depth chart after the latest injury to Taylor.
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Who is starting for the Jets vs. Patriots?
Cook is starting for the Jets in Week 17 against the Patriots. Taylor didn't have an injury designation for the game, but was ruled inactive after not taking the field during warmups. Hendon Hooker was elevated from the practice squad and will serve as Cook's backup.
MORE: How AFC teams can lock down the No. 1 seed in Week 17
Jets QB depth chart
| Position | Player Name |
| 1 | Justin Fields -- IR |
| 2 | Tyrod Taylor -- OUT |
| 3 | Brady Cook |
| 4 | Hendon Hooker |
Justin Fields
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets ahead of the 2025 season. The dual-threat quarterback got off to a hot start with a solid game in Week 1. It was the prototypical Fields start with 218 passing yards and a touchdown. He also had 48 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in the loss.
He largely struggled after that. All told in the 2025 season, Fields played in nine games and had 1,259 yards with seven touchdowns and an interception. He also had 71 carries for 383 yards and four touchdowns.
Tyrod Taylor
Taylor played in six games for the Jets so far. He took over as the starter for Fields on November 23 against the Baltimore Ravens. In his revenge game, Taylor had 222 yards with a touchdown and an interception. If he doesn't play again in 2025, the veteran quarterback will finish with 779 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
Brady Cook
Cook was an undrafted free agent who signed out of college with the Jets. He has played in three games so far, and has unfortunately struggled mightily. Cook heads into Week 17 with 527 yards, a touchdown and six interceptions this season.
Hendon Hooker
Hooker was the promising Tennessee quarterback who tore his ACL to end his senior season. He still came out in the draft that year and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was with the Lions for two seasons and was waived ahead of the 2025 season. Hooker signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad a few days later, but was released in early November. The Jets signed him to their practice squad on December 18, and he was elevated to be Cook's backup on December 28.
Over his three-year career so far, Hooker has seen limited action in three games. He has completed six of his nine career passes for 62 yards.
MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order in Week 17
Tyrod Taylor injury updates
Taylor was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a knee injury. The quarterback was downgraded to not practicing on Friday, and was cited to be dealing with personal reasons.
Taylor wasn't given an injury designation for the game, but was still ruled inactive ahead of kickoff.
What happened to Justin Fields?
Fields hadn't taken the field since November 13 after being benched in favor of Taylor. He picked up a knee injury during practice, and it didn't heal as the team hoped. Fields was finally added to injured reserve on December 24, and it ended his season with the Jets being eliminated from playoff contention.