New York is one of the major epicenters for the outbreak of public health emergency COVID-19, the contagious coronavirus that has halted major sports in the U.S. and North America. For the New York Jets, who actually play in nearby but still very affected New Jersey, that means delaying the opening of their training facility. Jets franchise quarterback Sam Darnold, entering a crucial third year in the NFL, is not too concerned about the virus when he gets a chance to practice with his team.
Per ESPN's Rich Cimini on Darnold's remark on ESPN NY 98.7 today, via ProFootballTalk:
“As long as we’re allowed to be in the facility and be practicing and be playing games, I’m not going to be worried about it,” Darnold said.
Darnold had to miss a chunk of his sophomore campaign with the Jets during the 2019 season, missing a total of three games due to contracting mononucleosis, a freak incident without a publicly known tracer for the former USC Trojan. Crucially, the Jets lost all three games Darnold had to sit out, and after a second-half run to finish the season at 7-9, Gang Green missed the postseason by two games.
While other major leagues like MLB, NBA, and NHL mull decisions to resume or shortened their 2020 seasons, the NFL's offseason coinciding with the spring and summer has largely left their regular season untouched—for now. However, the big impact of COVID-19 on the league has been preventing players, like Darnold and the Jets, from practicing in the offseason and building chemistry, getting in shape, and working with the coaching staff.
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