Qwan'tez Stiggers, the 24-year-old cornerback for the New York Jets, collapsed and briefly lost consciousness during a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Florham Park, New Jersey [1, 2, 3, 4]. Practice was paused for about 10 minutes as medical staff treated Stiggers on the field before he was stretchered off and taken by ambulance to a hospital for examination [1, 2, 3].

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn praised the reaction of the medical team and said he planned to visit Stiggers in the hospital. Glenn said, "He was able to talk and I want to make sure I go and see him after this, just to make sure I’m good with everything. But for the most part, he was good" [2]. He also stated, "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" [3].

Teammates showed support by taking a knee and forming a prayer circle near the sideline during Stiggers' medical treatment. Running back Breece Hall described the moment as "very sad, very emotional. You get on your knee and say a prayer for him and hope he's OK" [1]. Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips said, "What’s been shared to us is things are on the up and up" regarding Stiggers' condition [2].

Stiggers, entering his third NFL season, was drafted in the fifth round in 2024 after playing in the Canadian Football League and Fan Controlled Football league, having not played college football [3, 4]. In 29 NFL games, he has recorded 35 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 3 passes defensed, with career highs last season including 27 tackles and 3 pass breakups [1, 2, 3, 4].

Temperatures at the practice facility hovered around 85 degrees Fahrenheit amid a recent heatwave with triple-digit temperatures in the region [4]. The joint practice also saw multiple fights, and Stiggers was involved in at least one scuffle where his helmet was thrown prior to the incident [1, 4].

The Jets are set to host the Buccaneers in their NFL preseason opener on Friday, August 14, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey [1].