The New York Jets looked like a team that desperately needed their starting quarterback in Sunday’s blowout loss to the New England Patriots, and they may not have to play another game without him.
Jets head coach Adam Gase told reporters on Monday that Sam Darnold is on track to return in Week 5, which would be immediately after the team’s upcoming bye.
Gase says "everything looks like it's trending in the direction" for Darnold (mono) to play Week 5. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 23, 2019
Darnold has missed the last two games after being diagnosed with mononucleosis. Teams usually don’t like having a bye this early in the season, but in this case it seems to have worked out for the Jets.
Things got even worse for the Jets last week when backup quarterback Trevor Siemian was lost for the season with a leg injury. They were forced to start Luke Falk against New England’s defense, which has been dominant. While New York managed to score 14 points, they all came on defense or special teams. Falk completed just 12-of-22 passes for 98 yards and an interception.
