Sam Darnold opened the New York Jets’ preseason on the right note, throwing for 68 yards and a touchdown that went to Jamison Crowder.
The New York Yankees were in action on Thursday night, but the most encouraging throwing performance in the tri-state area might have come from a New York Jets youngster.
Sam Darnold partook in the Jets’ 2019 preseason opener, playing the first drive of their preseason tilt against the New York Giants. The Jets were the designated road team in their shared home, but Darnold was able to bring tidings of comfort and joy to those clad in green.
Fans of the “visiting” team enjoyed a pair of Darnold throws that exceeded 20 yards. He converted a six-yard third down by finding tight Chris Herndon for 32 before later finding Jamison Crowder for 28 more. The latter play set the Jets up in the red zone.
Darnold would find Crowder once more on his final play of the night. This second third-down conversion went a mere three yards, but gave the Jets a 6-0 lead. The final stat line for Darnold read 4-for-5 for 68 yards and the score.
It's that familiar Adam Gase offense early on. Rubs galore, zone schemes, meshes, and, of course, Sam Darnold showcasing the uncoachable traits such as sensing pocket pressure and throwing on the move. #Jetspic.twitter.com/AkTkVxALmh
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) August 8, 2019
Unfortunately for the Jets, not everything ended on a bright note for their offensive starters. New kicker Chander Catanzaro missed the ensuing extra points and lineman Brian Winters left for the locker room after the drive. The Jets later declared him out for the remainder of the game with a shoulder injury.
RG Brian Winters (shoulder) is out. #NYJvsNYG
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 8, 2019
The two teams are currently in the locker room, waiting out a severe weather delay. The projected time for the game to resume is around 8:30 or 8:45 p.m. ET from East Rutherford, NJ.
