With the Jets turning the page to Sunday's meeting with the Jaguars, rookie QB Brady Cook was handled first-reps at practice Wednesday. Veterans Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields are nursing injuries, and their status is in doubt for Sunday's contest in Jacksonville.
"That does a lot for any quarterback especially with building continuity with the rest of the guys," HC Aaron Glenn said of Cook. "Set points as far as where he's going to be at for the O-line, receiver-quarterback communication. Anytime you get reps like that with the first team with a different quarterback, it always helps. It will be good for him, but again we'll see how this week progresses when it comes to our quarterback situation."
Cook, who relieved Taylor in the first quarter of last Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Dolphins, completed 14-of-30 passes for 163 yards with 2 INTs in his first NFL action. Taylor sustained a groin injury vs. Miami and Fields, who started 9 games this season, is dealing with knee soreness.
"I thought he came in and was poised," LG John Simpson said of Cook. "He kind of demanded the attention of the huddle the way he came in and was just like, I guess you could say he was ready for the moment in my opinion. I didn't feel like the moment was too big for him.
A practice squad elevation three times, Cook (6-2, 215) was Taylor's backup at Tampa Bay in Week 3 and he also was the No. 2 behind Fields during the Jets' 39-38 win over the Bengals on Oct. 26.
"Tyrod and Justin, they won't be practicing today," Glenn said. "We'll see exactly how the progress during the week, so today Brady will be getting all the first-team reps. … There is plan for the quarterbacks either way during the week that we have our bases covered."
One of 15 UDFAs to sign with the Jets on May 9, Cook completed 65.8% (25 of 38) of his passes in the preseason for 235 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. He was added to the practice squad on Aug. 27. Cook, who went 26-12 as a starter at Missouri from 2022-24, threw for 8,591 yards, 46 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while completing 64.6% of his passes. The St. Louis native also had career 1,209 rushing yards. A team captain in 2024, he's the only player in Missouri football history with a pass, run and catch of at least 75 yards.
"He's smart, he's tough, he's competitive," Glenn said. "A number of traits that you want in a quarterback, so any guy that we have here – there is a reason why they're here."
Cook could start his first NFL game against a Jacksonville defense that is tied for No. 2 in both takeaways (23) and interceptions (15). After coming in cold against Miami, he should benefit from the increased workload regardless.
"To have this tape, this experience to watch, to build on, to learn from, however many reps I got today that's going to be huge for me," he said following his three-and-a-half quarters of action against Miami. "I look forward to seeing the tape, building off of it. However the reps shake out this week, next week, I'm going to be ready to play, whether the starter, whether the backup, whether the third string, it doesn't matter. I'm going to be ready to play, ready to win the Jets a football game."
Jetcetera
In addition to QBs Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee soreness), TE Mason Taylor, CB Azareye'h Thomas, LB Kiko Mauigoa, TE Stone Smartt, RB Breece Hall (knee soreness), LB Quincy Williams and DT Harrison Phillips won't practice Wednesday. "A lot it is just maintenance for the most part, so we can get our guys rested and ready to play," said HC Aaron Glenn.
