New York Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers was released from the hospital and is recovering at home after briefly losing consciousness and leaving a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an ambulance on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Florham Park, New Jersey.
What began as a routine joint practice session between the New York Jets and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quickly turned tense on Tuesday afternoon when defensive back Qwan’Tez Stiggers collapsed on the sideline. The 24-year-old cornerback, entering his third season with the franchise, experienced a medical emergency during special teams drills at the team’s facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
The Sideline Emergency and Immediate Response
According to personnel on the field, practice came to an abrupt halt as players and medical staff rushed to the sideline. Jets players gathered around the fallen player and looked deeply concerned as medical personnel administered an intravenous line and prepared a stretcher.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn addressed reporters shortly after the session concluded, explaining that Stiggers had walked off the field after a play before losing consciousness.
“He actually fell out. 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.”
Aaron Glenn, Head Coach, New York Jets
Glenn noted that Stiggers was able to talk while still on the ground before being loaded into an ambulance and transported to a local hospital for further examination. Fans seated near the area applauded in support as the vehicle departed the practice fields.
Teammate Reactions and Practice Disruption
Several Jets players immediately dropped to one knee and formed a prayer circle near the sideline while medical staff attended to their teammate. Running back Breece Hall described the atmosphere surrounding the incident as very sad, very emotional, noting that he did not see the initial collapse but watched the entire session freeze as players walked over to offer support.
“You get on your knee and say a prayer for him and hope he’s OK.”
Breece Hall, Running Back, New York Jets
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips offered a reassuring update to reporters after practice concluded, indicating that what’s been shared to us is things are on the up and up. Practice resumed after being halted for more than 10 minutes.
Hospital Discharge and Rapid Recovery
The initial concern proved short-lived. By Tuesday evening, the team announced that Stiggers had been released from the hospital and was back home recovering. Stiggers spent only a few hours under medical observation following the incident.
.jpg?w=1120&h=630 "Photo: Bleacher Report")
Neither the franchise nor the coaching staff has specified what triggered the fainting episode, and no immediate timeline has been provided for his return to practice. The team is scheduled to hold another practice session on Wednesday, after which Glenn is expected to provide further updates.
Stiggers’ Improbable Journey to the NFL
The health scare drew immediate attention given Stiggers’ unique and widely celebrated path to professional football. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Stiggers did not play college football after competing at The B.E.S.T. Academy high school.
After winning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie honors in 2023, the Jets selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, making him the first player in 25 years to enter the NFL directly from the CFL without a collegiate background.
Over his first two seasons in New York, Stiggers has appeared in 29 games with five career starts, contributing heavily on defense and logging more than 200 special teams snaps in each campaign. Following roster changes that included the trade of Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, Stiggers entered training camp competing for an expanded role in the secondary.
Friday Preseason Matchup Ahead
The Jets and Buccaneers continue their joint preparations ahead of their upcoming preseason game scheduled for Friday night. Glenn confirmed that the team’s starters will play in the matchup as both squads implement new schemes, though the exact distribution of game reps remains subject to coaching evaluations.
Related reading
