The Jets would love to have Sam Darnold back from mononucleosis for their Week 5 game against the Eagles. The possibility of the quarterback returning after New York’s bye is “overly optimistic,” though, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Instead, Rapoport reported that Darnold’s recovery from the virus could span three to seven weeks. The three-week timeline gets him back for the Eagles game, so that’s the best-case scenario.
Rapoport added that Darnold was battling symptoms in the Jets’ Week 1 opener, a 17-16 loss to the Bills in which the offense sputtered throughout the afternoon. Darnold has been quarantined at his home since learning of the diagnosis and had already lost about five pounds when the news first broke.
One reason not to rush Darnold back, aside from him needing to get his strength restored, is that mono enlarges the spleen and thus there is a higher chance of rupturing it. That’s not ideal when you play football for a living. Adam Gase has made it clear that the Jets won’t rush Darnold back for that reason, which lends itself to the lengthier end of Rapoport’s timeline.
For now, the Jets have no choice but to roll with Trevor Siemian, however long that may be. The former Broncos starter will get his first shot under center Monday night when Gang Green hosts the Browns.
