The New York Jets and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held a joint practice on Tuesday, August 11. However, the practice was reportedly halted after a major injury concern emerged. Initially, the details around the player and the severity of the injury weren’t disclosed. Further reports, however, confirmed that it was cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers.

Per reports, the Jets’ players gathered around Stiggers and looked deeply concerned. A few of the players took a knee as an ambulance arrived on the field, as the CB was given an IV. Subsequently, Stiggers was carted off the field on a stretcher. Right after that went down, head coach Aaron Glenn addressed Stiggers’ condition, while praising the team’s medical staff for handling the situation.

“From what I know, all right, he came to the sideline after a play, and he actually fell out,” Glenn said of the CB. “The good thing is he was conscious, all right, and 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. So he was able to talk, and I want to make sure that, you know, I go and see him after this just to make sure I’m good with everything, but for the most part, he was good.”

Because of Stiggers’ medical complication, the Jets and Buccaneers’ joint practice was stopped for several minutes. A few moments later, however, the practice was resumed. The Jets drafted the 24-year-old in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 176th overall pick. In the process, Stiggers became the first player since Jermaine Haley in 1999 to be drafted directly from the CFL.

Before joining the Jets, Stiggers spent time with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. Since making his Jets’ debut, the 24-year-old has appeared in 29 games and started 5. He recorded 35 combined tackles, 24 solo tackles, and 1 tackle for loss. During the 2025 season, the former fifth-rounder finished fourth on the team in special teams snaps with 287. In the process, he also produced a 70.4 special teams grade from Pro Football Focus.

That said, the Jets are preparing to begin their preseason campaign against the Buccaneers in less than a week. Whether Stiggers will be healthy enough to return before the matchup, however, remains to be seen.