The New York Jets are desperate to get Sam Darnold back under center but the young quarterback isn't going to come back until he's healthy. Above all, Darnold wants to make sure he is safe if he returns to the field versus the Philadelphia Eagles per Mike Garafolo.
Darnold: “Football is a crazy game but I want to make sure I’m safe.” Says he wants to make sure “I don’t die.” Best game plan I’ve heard in the league this year.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 3, 2019
Of course, the Jets starting quarterback has been out since Week 2 after falling ill to mononucleosis. Over the past few weeks, Darnold was quarantined from the team and noticeably lost weight.
As a result, Adam Gase was inclined to start Trevor Siemian in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, Siemian fractured his ankle versus the Browns and third-string quarterback Luke Falk was thrust into the starting job.
While Darnold was out, New York's offense scored a whopping total of three points on offense. The only two touchdowns that the team scored in his absence came from special teams and their defense.
All along, the belief has been that Darnold would be able to return in Week 5 against the Eagles. But as of now, the second-year starter has yet to be cleared for contact ahead of Sunday's game.
In the only game that Darnold played in this season, he completed 28 of his 41 attempts for 175 yards and a touchdown versus the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. Those numbers aren't great but we saw what Buffalo's defense was able to do against Tom Brady in Week 4.
Nevertheless, the Jets are going to continue being cautious with their franchise quarterback as he recovers from his sickness.
Throughout the week, Darnold has split snaps with Falk in practice but that doesn't exactly mean that he will be active in Week 5.
Follow Us
Subscribe