An era has ended in New York.
With Sam Darnold set to return against the Cowboys, the Jets waived Luke Falk on Saturday. The move cleared space for LB Brandon Copeland, who is coming back from a four-game suspension.
Originally the Jets’ third-string quarterback and on the practice squad, Falk was suddenly thrust into action after Darnold fell ill to mononucleosis and his backup, Trevor Siemian, almost immediately suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Falk, a Washington State product who had never played in an NFL game prior, ended up making two starts and three appearances. In those games — all losses — he showed why he was initially the third-stringer; Falk threw for zero touchdowns and three interceptions while recording a 62.4 rating.
Now that Darnold is healthy, the Jets are opting to stick with veteran David Fales as their backup. Both Fales and Falk spent time with Adam Gase in Miami, but Fales is the more experienced option (relatively speaking).
As for Copeland, the Jets are getting back a linebacker who recorded five sacks in a limited role last season. He won’t transform Gang Green’s lacking pass rush, but the team will take all the help it can get in that department.
