As the New York Jets prepare to depart for Nashville, head coach Todd Bowles isn’t ready to make his starting quarterback decision public.
Coach Bowles speaks to the media ⤵️ https://t.co/ZPQ2I1eF14
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 30, 2018
FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY—New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles has a secret.
Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon, Bowles did not disclose his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS). Rookie starter Sam Darnold was labeled questionable on the team’s official injury report, while veteran Josh McCown was a full practice participant for the first time this week.
“I’ve kind of decided (who will start),” Bowles said. “I’ll make it public on Sunday.”
Darnold continues to work his way back from a foot injury suffered on Nov. 4 in Miami. He actively participated in practice for the first time the diagnosis, but remained limited in all three days of Tennessee preparation.
Last Sunday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported it was more likely Darnold would return for the Jets’ Dec. 9 game in Buffalo. Neither Darnold nor the Jets confirmed or denied this rumor.
“I want to play really bad,” Darnold said on Wednesday. “But at the same time, I know that it is a process and I just got to go about protocol and understand exactly what I need to do to get better. So we’ll go from there.”
On the other hand, McCown was a full participant in Friday’s practice after two days of limited activity. He suffered a laceration on his right thumb during the Jets’ Nov. 25 loss to New England, but has stated the injury hasn’t affected him.
In a Monday conference call, McCown said “There’s still some soreness or what not, but (my thumb is) feeling better”.
In other Jets medical news, safety Marcus Maye (shoulder/thumb) was the lone Jet ruled out of the Nashville visit. Receiver Robby Anderson (ankle) is questionable, and Bowles said he would be a game-time decision.
