The New York Jets are looking to bounce back from a disappointing Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but they will have to do it without Sam Darnold.
Jets head coach Adam Gase made the surprising announcement on Thursday that Darnold has been diagnosed with mononucleosis, and he has been ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns. The second-year quarterback has apparently lost a significant amount of weight, and it could be several weeks before he is cleared to return.
Gase said Sam Darnold could miss several weeks with mono #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) September 12, 2019
Gase said Darnold was alarmed by how much weight he lost in the last few days #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) September 12, 2019
That is obviously a major blow to the Jets, who are hoping Darnold can make a second-year leap and help them contend for a playoff spot. Le’Veon Bell is also dealing with a sore shoulder and is scheduled to have an MRI, so things have not gone well in New York leading up to Week 2.
Trevor Siemian will start in Darnold’s place against Cleveland. The Jets only managed to put up 16 points at home in their 17-16 loss to the Bills, and they could find it even tougher to score on Monday.
