New York Jets head coach Adam Gase says the odds of Sam Darnold playing in their Week 5 game in Philadelphia are improving.
Sam Darnold on the field this Sunday? It’s not confirmed, but it’s apparently not impossible. The New York Jets second-year quarterback has been out with mononucleosis since the days leading up to their Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns. However, he could come back sooner than some people originally thought.
Darnold was cleared for practice this week, but not for contact drills. Despite the limitations, the odds of him playing are improving, according to Adam Gase.
Coach Gase speaks to the media before Wednesday's practice of Eagles week. https://t.co/iHDP87nyk4
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 2, 2019
“I like our odds better than what they’ve been,” the first-year Gang Green head coach said. “Last week, if we would’ve been playing again, I would’ve said it’s very low. I like the fact that things have looked and progressed in the right direction. But I don’t know what that five percent is. There’s some gray still there.”
“We have to keep talking to the doctors every day and keep talking to him,” he added. “We have to be prepared to go either way.”
If Darnold isn’t ready to go against Philly, the Jets will have to start Luke Falk for the second straight game. Falk started the 30-14 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 4. The 24-year-old has completed 32 of his 47 attempts this year for 296 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception.
Luke played in the Week 2 game after Trevor Siemian suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
The Jets and the Eagles kick off in Philadelphia this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
