Jets' Qwan'tez Stiggers Hospitalized After Collapse at Practice
The 24-year-old cornerback briefly lost consciousness during a joint workout with the Buccaneers and was taken away by ambulance, but coach Aaron Glenn said he was talking on the field.
New York Jets cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers was taken to a hospital by ambulance Tuesday after briefly losing consciousness during a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn said the 24-year-old was conscious and talking on the field before being placed on a stretcher and taken for further examination. There was no immediate word on Stiggers' condition, though Glenn indicated he was doing OK.
"He was able to talk and I want to make sure I go and see him after this, just to make sure I'm good with everything," Glenn said. "But for the most part, he was good."
The two teams were in the middle of special teams drills when Stiggers came to the sideline, Glenn said.
"He actually fell out," the coach said. "The good thing is, he was conscious. 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."
Several Jets teammates took a knee near the sideline and some formed a prayer circle. After several minutes, Stiggers was placed on a stretcher with what appeared to be an IV and loaded into the ambulance as fans seated nearby clapped in support. Practice, halted for more than 10 minutes, then resumed.
"It was very sad, very emotional," running back Breece Hall said. "You get on your knee and say a prayer for him and hope he's OK."
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said: "What's been shared to us is things are on the up and up."
Stiggers is entering his third season with the Jets after being a fifth-round draft pick in 2024. He was one of that draft's feel-good stories, having never played college football. He was the first player drafted directly from the Canadian Football League, where he played for the Toronto Argonauts, since Miami took Jermaine Haley in 1999.
In 29 games with New York, including five starts, Stiggers has 35 tackles, two fumble recoveries and three passes defensed. He is also one of the team's top special teams players.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
