New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold impressed in his preseason debut. As a result, Jets head coach Todd Bowles has handed him the majority of reps in practice for the first time, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.

As Cimini notes, that could be a sign that Darnold is in line to start in their next preseason game Thursday night against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field.

Bowles says he still hasn't set his plans at quarterback for the game. However, Cimini says the Jets plan to hand the No. 3 overall pick at least one start in preseason.

“It's important to get him working and caught up with certain things defenses are doing,” Bowles said. “That's more important than getting him reps with the first, second or third team.”

Darnold put on quite a show in the team’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons. He went 13-of-18 for 96 yards with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Charles Johnson.

On Sunday, Darnold remained third in the rotation, behind Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. But he did get 12 first-team reps, compared to seven for McCown and one for Bridgewater. Darnold ended up taking 20 of the 35 total reps during practice.

Darnold’s display against the Falcons was certainly an encouraging sign for the Jets. As long as he shows that he can capably handle playing quarterback this preseason, the starting job will most likely go to him.

If he does get the chance to start against Washington, another fine showing should go a long way toward him cementing that starting spot this season.