FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is “relieved” his dislocated toe wasn't a more serious injury that could've sidelined him for a significant part of training camp.
Fields, scheduled to be the Jets' starter, was injured last Thursday during practice when a teammate accidentally stepped on his right foot and dislocated one of his toes. The quarterback sat out practice the next day, did 7-on-7 drills last Saturday and then after a day off, returned to 11-on-11 team drills Monday.
He was again leading the offense Tuesday, when the Jets were in pads for a second day in a row.
“I’m very relieved,” Fields said in his first comments to reporters since the injury. “God was definitely looking out. I’m just blessed to be here today, blessed to be on the practice field.”
Jets fans and social media were sent into a panic when the injury occurred and Fields was carted from the field to the facility, where he had multiple tests before the team announced the diagnosis a few hours later.
“We get our feet stepped on all the time at practice, so it just felt normal at first when I first got stepped on,” Fields said. "Tried walking off and it felt weird, like something was almost stuck in my toe. So, I didn’t really know what to think. I just knew something was wrong. So, I just went to the sidelines, got carted, and got the MRI and X-ray. And, luckily, they said I just dislocated it.
“So, God was definitely looking out that day, but I’m glad to be back on the field working.”
His quick return relieved fears from fans that it could be an even more significant injury.
“Yeah, my phone blew up a little bit, of course,” Fields said with a slight smile. “But like I said, once I got the results back, everything was all good after that.”
Fields said a protective covering was placed in his right cleat by head athletic trainer Dave Zuffelato and he'll wear it during the next several weeks as he continues to heal.
“Almost like a little steel toe, but it’s a plastic toe,” Fields said while knocking on the shoe.
Fields said he felt his mobility was a bit limited the first few days. But he ran a handful of times during practice Tuesday and showed no signs of the injury.
Overall, it wasn't a great day for Fields and the offense, who were mostly outplayed by the defense. Fields also had a few receivers drop passes. But he ended the team period in a two-minute drive by connecting with rookie tight end Mason Taylor in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.
“I think we started off very slow at the start,” Fields said. “At the end of practice, the last period, I think we ramped it up a bit. Definitely want to come out with a stronger start. We can’t warm up to things, we can’t have a few bad reps and then bring it all up and talk with each other then decide to, ‘All right, let’s go.’ It’s got to be right out the gate.”
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New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) runs drills during practice at the team's NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) and running back Breece Hall (20) run drills together during practice at the team's NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Raphinha scored a brace as Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-0 to increase its La Liga lead on Saturday and pile more pressure on beleaguered Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso.
The Brazil forward broke the deadlock with a shot from the top of the area in the 70th minute at Camp Nou. He then put the result beyond doubt by scoring from close range with six minutes remaining.
A seventh league win in a row left the defending champions seven points clear of Real Madrid before its game at Alaves on Sunday. That is likely a must-win game for Alonso after the powerhouse has won just two of its last eight games across all competitions.
Madrid had led Barcelona by five points in the Spanish league after winning a clasico match in late October. But a huge dip in form with just one win in five rounds, including a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo at home last weekend, has left Madrid reeling.
Relishing the trouble of Barcelona's top rival, the Camp Nou crowd chanted “Stay Xabi! Stay Xabi!” in Spanish at one point during the Osasuna match.
Raphinha, however, stayed focused on his team.
“We need to focus on ourselves and if we do our job then we won’t have to worry about anyone else,” Raphinha said. “We are playing better than before and the more points, the better.”
Raphinha was key to Barcelona winning La Liga and Copa del Rey last season, when Hansi Flick’s side also reached the Champions League semifinals.
Barcelona struggled to replaced his speed and incisiveness when Raphinha was sidelined with a leg injury for six weeks earlier this campaign. But he has returned as strong as ever. He also assisted in a 3-1 victory over Alaves in late November and scored in a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Sixteenth-placed Osasuna generated little in attack but its defense and goalkeeper Sergio Herrera frustrated Barcelona until Raphinha struck. Herrera saved a shot by Lamine Yamal while Marcus Rashford's goal-bound effort was blocked by a defender.
Raphinha's first goal came after Barcelona recovered the ball and Pedri González led a counterattack before laying off for him to score from distance. His second was easier: a tap-in after Osasuna defender Alejandro Catena redirected a cross from Jules Koundé to the far post where Raphinha was unmarked.
Antoine Griezmann scored the winner after coming off the bench to help fourth-placed Atletico beat Valencia 2-1 and stay nine points behind Barcelona.
Griezmann replaced Julián Álvarez with half an hour to go with Atletico leading after Koke Resurrección scored from a rebound in the 17th.
Lucas Beltrán pulled the visitors level in the 63rd with a shot from outside the area as the Argentine striker skirted past a defender and lashed a long strike just inside the post.
Griezmann restored the lead in the 74th at the Metropolitano Stadium when he used an exquisite control, hooking down a long ball with the tip of his boot, before he fired in the winner.
The 34-year-old Griezmann has taken a more limited role with Atletico this season, but he is still proving to be decisive. The former France star scored two goals as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Levante last month and also netted after coming on in the second half against Sevilla and Real Madrid.
His winner against Valencia increased his record haul for Atletico to 204 career goals.
The loss for Valencia will increase the pressure on coach Carlos Corberán with the team in 17th place just on the edge of the relegation zone.
Leandro Cabrera’s header helped Espanyol beat Getafe 1-0 on the road and secure a fourth consecutive league win.
Espanyol is the surprise of the season approaching the winter break. The Barcelona-based team is in fifth place after 16 rounds, having barely avoided relegation on the final day of last season.
Also, Mallorca beat Elche 3-1. The game was tied 1-1 until Elche keeper Iñaki Peña gifted the ball to Mallorca’s Omar Mascarell, who lobbed the ball over Peña's head from near midfield for the go-ahead goal in the 82nd.
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Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Froem the left, Barcelona's Ferran Torres,Raphinha and Marcus Rashford hug after a goal during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha and Lamine Yamal celebrate after a goal during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
