New York Jets cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers was rushed to hospital by ambulance on 11 August 2026 after he lost consciousness during a joint practice session with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 24-year-old briefly blacked out on the sideline, prompting medical staff to halt the workout for roughly ten minutes while he received treatment. Head coach Aaron Glenn said Stiggers was conscious and speaking before being carried off on a stretcher for further evaluation.
What happened during the collapse?
According to Glenn, Stiggers walked to the sideline following a play before suddenly going down.
He came to the sideline after a play and he actually fell out.
Glenn added that despite the alarming scene, there were early signs of reassurance.
The good thing is he was conscious. He was able to talk. For the most part, he's good.
Glenn later clarified that the incident occurred during special-teams drills rather than a full-team scrimmage, according to a national broadcaster's report. Medical staff reportedly administered an IV on the field before he was strapped to a stretcher and loaded into the waiting ambulance, according to On3's coverage of the incident, a detail also confirmed by a regional radio outlet's report.
How did teammates and coaches react?
Several Jets players dropped to a knee near the sideline as Stiggers was being treated, while others gathered in a prayer circle. Running back Breece Hall described the mood among the group.
It was very sad, very emotional. You get on your knee and say a prayer for him and hope he's OK.
Glenn praised the response from the team's medical personnel and said he intended to visit Stiggers in hospital. Practice eventually resumed after the roughly ten-minute stoppage, and teammate Harrison Phillips later relayed an update to reporters that things were, in his words, on the up and up, according to the same report. The joint session was reportedly a physical affair overall, with four separate fights breaking out across the two-hour practice, per On3's summary of the session, including one scuffle in which Stiggers' helmet was thrown down the field during a confrontation with a Buccaneers player.
What is Stiggers' background with the Jets?
Stiggers was selected by New York in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, arriving in the league after a path that included time in Canadian football and was widely framed as a story of resilience, according to a feature detailing his rise. Across 29 games for the Jets, he has recorded 35 tackles, two fumble recoveries and three passes defended. In the 2025 season specifically, he logged 27 tackles, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries over 15 regular-season appearances, according to a player statistics page maintained by a sports network.
What happens next?
Glenn said he planned to visit Stiggers at the hospital following practice, and outlets covering the incident indicated his condition would continue to be monitored, with a return to team activities expected only once he receives medical clearance, according to the regional radio report. The Jets are scheduled to host the Buccaneers in their preseason opener at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with kickoff set for midnight BST into Saturday. Requests for comment sent to the Jets organisation had not been immediately answered.
Key Facts
- Qwan'tez Stiggers, 24, collapsed during a joint practice with the Buccaneers on 11 August 2026.
- He briefly lost consciousness but was reported conscious and talking before being stretchered off.
- Medical staff reportedly gave him an IV on the field before ambulance transport to hospital.
- The Jets drafted Stiggers in the fifth round in 2024; he has 35 career tackles and three passes defended.
- New York hosts Tampa Bay in a preseason opener at MetLife Stadium this weekend.
