Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers hospitalised after practice collapse
New York Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers was taken to hospital by ambulance after collapsing during a joint practice session with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old lost consciousness on the sideline during a special-teams drill in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Medical personnel halted the session for 10 minutes to administer an intravenous drip before moving him onto a stretcher.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed the second-year defender was awake and communicating before leaving the facility.
Positive initial medical signs
“He came to the sideline and he just passed out,” Glenn said.
“For the most part, he was good.”
The former Toronto Argonauts standout was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft without playing traditional college football.
He has since appeared in 29 games for the New York franchise, establishing himself as a vital contributor on punt coverage.
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips admitted the situation was frightening but expressed relief over the preliminary medical updates.
“It puts a lot of things in perspective,” Phillips said.
“What’s been shared to us is that things are on the up and up.”
Tensions flare during joint session
The distressing medical emergency occurred amid a highly fractured practice session containing four separate on-field brawls.
Players immediately took a knee in silence as the defensive back received urgent medical attention by the sideline bleachers.
Despite the sombre moment, fierce hostilities remained between the two NFL rosters upon resuming play.
Tampa Bay right tackle Luke Goedeke accused Jets edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare of instigating a major skirmish with an alleged cheap shot.
Brawls disrupt team preparations
The skirmishes initially ignited following a one-on-one stalemate between Goedeke and Jets rookie David Bailey.
Goedeke even flung the helmet of the stricken defensive back during one of the earlier melees following an interception by Jarius Monroe.
Tensions eventually boiled over again late in the morning when New York offensive lineman Armand Membou clashed with Buccaneers defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson.