It started slow, real slow for the Jets. First week of camp, helmets on but pads still off, and the sidelines looked more like a recovery ward than a depth chart. First one to be sidelined? Edge Jermaine Johnson, due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, was joined by WR Irv Charles, both of whom were tucked away on the PUP list. Rookie LB Aaron Smith? NFI status. The staff didn’t force anything. You could tell the vibe: get healthy, stay smart. Nobody was panicking; just a quiet game of patience before the real grind began.

But by the time the thuds of live contact echoed through Florham Park, the front office was already tweaking the edges. First, out went OL Obinna Eze and Jared Bartlett—camp bodies, sure, but still part of the early energy. In came Tanner McCalister, a DB with some bite, and Samuel Jackson, a versatile lineman who’d bounced around before. Then Ryan Cooper got scooped off waivers, and punter Kai Kroeger was sent packing.

It’s subtle, but the roster is clearly tightening as the front office is set to choose its 53 best. Fast forward to now, and they’ve added another layer to their roster moves. ESPN NFL Nation reporter Rich Cimini broke the news that the Jets waived/injured center Gus Hartwig, who recently injured his knee, with kicker Caden Davis being shown the door as well. Besides, they signed RB Lawrance Toafili and OL Liam Fornade, who played with the DC Defenders and had a stint with the Patriots.

Let’s call it what it is. Hartwig, an undrafted free agent, was hoping to make his way through the Jets’ roster. However, he’ll now be replaced by Fornadel. Fornadel, the former Patriots and UFL lineman, has also spent time with the Winnepeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. Meanwhile, kicker Davis was competing for the starting role. But now that he’s been shown the door, the job reportedly belongs to Harrison Mevis. At least for the time being.

As for Lawrance Toafili, the Florida State product comes as a replacement for RB Zach Evans. The Jets have placed Evans on the reserve/retired list. Though it’s unlikely for Toafili to make it to the final 53-man roster. But we can expect him to get a practice squad spot. Amidst all the goodbyes and hellos, the Jets have also announced something to be optimistic about. Justin Fields is now back in action.

Justin Fields seems ready to throw dimes at camp

Injury is something a Jets fan would not like to hear about when it comes to the team’s quarterback. It’s the script we’ve seen before. But somehow and in some way, Justin Fields sent Jets fans and media into a frenzy last Thursday when he dislocated his right foot toe in practice. The quarterback, who signed a two-year $40 million deal with the Jets, was then carted off the field to the facility. It felt like déjà vu dressed in new colors—familiar, but not quite the same.

Fast forward to now, and Fields has returned to the practice. Fit and fine and ready to throw dimes. The quarterback reportedly participated in 7-on-7 drills at the camp on Saturday. The team eased him back into practice, sure. But the head coach, Aaron Glenn, said that Fields had “a ways to go” before fully returning. Cut to Monday, Fields ran the offense during 11-on-11 drills and was limited to the practice.

“He was limited, but he was limited the way that we want him to be limited,” Glenn said following the practice. “He made some good throws out there. And again, when Justin gets on the field, I mean, we’re going to let him be who he is.” That said, the Jets’ quarterback will get limited practice for a few days. But expect him to return healthy by week 1.