New York Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers was taken to hospital by ambulance after briefly losing consciousness during a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday. The 24-year-old regained consciousness on the field and was talking before he was placed on a stretcher and transported for further evaluation.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said Stiggers “was able to talk” and that he planned to check on him after practice, adding that for the most part Stiggers was doing okay. Teammates formed a prayer circle and knelt at the sideline while medical staff attended to him. Fans in the nearby stands applauded as Stiggers — who appeared to have an IV — was loaded into the ambulance. Practice was paused for more than 10 minutes and then resumed.
Running back Breece Hall called the scene “very sad, very emotional,” and said players prayed and hoped Stiggers would be alright. Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said the information shared with the team suggested things were improving.
The incident occurred during special-teams drills. Earlier in the session Stiggers was involved in a brief scuffle in which a Buccaneers player knocked his helmet down the field.
Stiggers is entering his third season with the Jets after being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. He drew attention as the first player drafted directly from the CFL since 1999, having played for the Toronto Argonauts. In 29 games (five starts) for New York he has 35 tackles, two fumble recoveries and three passes defended, and he is considered one of the team’s key special-teams contributors.
The Jets provided a largely positive update through Glenn at practice, but offered no detailed medical diagnosis. The team said Stiggers was being evaluated at the hospital and they would share further information as it becomes available.