TAMPA – Brady Cook’s Long-Awaited Return
This week, Brady Cook is stepping back into the game plan for the first time in nine months.
It’s an interesting situation he’s facing.
The rookie quarterback for the Jets, Cook, is gearing up to play against the Buccaneers, not the Iowa Hawkeyes as he had in his college days.
On Sunday, Cook will be active for the first time, serving as a backup for Tyrod Taylor, who’s stepping in due to Justin Fields’ injury.
“Honestly, it felt great to dive back into the game plan and get ready again,” Cook mentioned. “Our practices this week were intense. The last experience I had that really prepared me for a competitive game? Well, that was last year’s bowl game against Iowa. I’m ready. I feel good about it.”
It’s definitely not the Music City Bowl.
That much is clear. But still…
The Jets are hoping Taylor gets through the game without issues, so that Cook can observe from the sidelines. Yet, Taylor has a history of injuries, which definitely keeps things a bit uncertain for Cook, who’s itching to get in there.
“I feel as ready as I can be,” Cook said. “I’ve followed all the necessary steps, from OTAs to training camp, and now into preseason. I think I’ve prepared well.”
With Justin Fields undergoing a concussion protocol, Cook finds himself stepping up for this game as Tyrod Taylor’s backup.
Earlier, Cook competed for the third quarterback spot, eventually winning that battle against Adrian Martinez and earning a position on the practice squad.
The team’s confidence in him is clear; Director Aaron Glenn emphasized that belief.
“If I didn’t have faith in him, he wouldn’t be here,” Glenn said. “He showed some really good potential during preseason. It’s a learning curve for him, like it is for many rookies stepping onto the field.”
In other news, safety Tony Adams has been ruled out for Sunday’s game due to a hip issue, which cropped up on Friday.
Rookie Malaki Moore is set to make his first start in Adams’ place. Meanwhile, the Jets have also promoted safety Dean Clark from the practice squad.
