New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold returned to practice Monday for the first time since being diagnosed with mononucleosis at the beginning of Week 2.
The former 2018 first-round draft pick is cleared to participate in non-contact drills and to begin throwing again.
“I know it’s not the clear and cut answer that we were hoping for, but the positive thing is it gives a chance to get him out at practice and being able to go through all that stuff — he just can’t have any contact,” head coach Adam Gase said Monday.
Darnold was cleared to begin cardio during Week 4, but was waiting on swelling in his spleen to go down and continued to be limited in practice according to NFL.com.
The Jets (0-3) face the Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) Sunday and Gase is preparing without the clarity of knowing if Darnold will be able to play. The coach explained Monday that he will prepare for both Darnold’s return and to have Luke Falk start again.
Falk completed 32 of 47 pass attempts in two games for 296 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in two games this season.
