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The Jets have offered their latest update on the status of Sam Darnold as the quarterback seeks to return to the field after a bout with mono.
The good news is that Darnold has been cleared to return to the field.
Adam Gase says Sam Darnold has been cleared for non-contact drills. He will start throwing today. #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) September 30, 2019
The news is not all good on the Darnold front, though.
Adam Gase says it is still a question mark whether or not Darnold can play on Monday.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 30, 2019
Says this isn’t the clear answer the #Jets “were hoping for.” Sam Darnold still CANNOT have any contact.
Reading between lines: Doesn’t look great for Sunday.
Darnold could not play if the game was on Wednesday or Thursday. #Jets
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 30, 2019
Adam Gase said this “is not an ideal situation” for the #Jets right now. They don’t know if Darnold will be ready, so they have to prepare Falk, but they might have Darnold. Basically: The Jets don’t know.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 30, 2019
Adam Gase said the #Jets will need to “revisit” the status of the backup QB after cutting Fales last week in anticipation Darnold would be fully cleared.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 30, 2019
So here's the Darnold situation in nut shell: He's not as far along as the #Jets had hoped. Still a chance he plays Sunday, but not clear cut. Now Gase must weigh Darnold recovery/conditioning vs. getting Falk enough practice reps in case he has to start. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 30, 2019
It has felt like getting Darnold back for Week 5 was an ambitious goal.
As mentioned by Gase, the Jets are going to need to figure this out. The quarterback isn’t hit during practice so if Darnold is cleared fully for noncontact situations he might be able to practice the full week in theory. However, if he is not guaranteed to go on Sunday the Jets will need to prepare Luke Falk to start the game.
We will continue to monitor the daily updates the Jets will surely give on Darnold’s status, but it seems like his return this week might be wishful thinking.