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After his mono diagnosis, the hope was that New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold would play after the Week 4 bye. On Monday, he will begin to hurdle the challenges of doing so. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, the quarterback will “have more tests Monday on his spleen.”
Jets QB Sam Darnold still has hurdles to clear to play week 5. He says he will have more tests Monday on his spleen. If it's not as enlarged, he can begin practicing and working out. His cardio has been limited to walking & stationary bike. Not a lock but hopeful after mono bout
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 29, 2019
Mortensen notes that if Darnold's spleen is not enlarged, he can begin practicing and working out. His only method of staying in shape, while sick, is walking and a stationary bike. He isn't a lock to play Week 5, but the Jets are hopeful that he will do so.
Darnold was diagnosed with mono leading up to Week 2 of the season. Since then, the Jets have lost their backup (Trevor Siemian) to a season-ending ankle injury and are starting Luke Falk, a 2018 sixth-round pick. The results haven't been pretty as they are 0-3 with the offense sputtering without Darnold to lead the ship.
Though Darnold didn't suffer an injury needing surgery, the Jets couldn't play or practice him while sick. Mono can be extremely contagious and contains symptoms including sore throat, fever, a loss of appetite, etc. It can also cause swollen organs, which could rupture if hit hard enough. It’s safe to say the Jets don’t want that in their locker room anytime soon.
Luckily for New York, their Week 4 bye means they may not have to go another game without their presumed franchise quarterback. If Darnold plays in Week 5, however, his task won't be necessarily easy. He'll have to beat the Eagles in Philadelphia to get his team to 1-3.
