With Jets quarterback Sam Darnold having been diagnosed with mononucleosis, he will not be able to leave his residence for the foreseeable future.
According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Darnold will be quarantined at his apartment until the Jets medical staff feels he is able to return to the building. The point is to make sure Darnold doesn’t expose the rest of the team to the virus.
Darnold was diagnosed Wednesday night and did not take it well before trying to focus on the recovery process. Originally, the team thought it was strep throat, but the antibiotics the team gave Darnold weren’t working and he noticed a drop in his weight. He has lost about five pounds since being diagnosed.
It’s hard to know exactly when Darnold will return to the field. He has already been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Browns and will likely be out Week 3 against the Patriots. Fortunately, the Jets have a bye in Week 4, giving Darnold an extra week to recover without missing another game. The earliest Darnold could return would be in Week 5 against the Eagles, but first the illness has to run its course.
The Jets are going to roll with Trevor Siemian as the starting quarterback until Darnold can return. It’s unfortunate for Darnold, as he was primed for a big year under Adam Gase. But for now, all Darnold can do is watch the team from his apartment.
