As the New York Jets desperately search for a win, Brandon Copeland returns from a four-game suspension, while the fill-in quarterback Luke Falk departs.
The New York Jets announced the reactivation of linebacker Brandon Copeland on Saturday afternoon. Copeland returns from a four-game suspension and will play in Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS).
We've activated LB Brandon Copeland and waived QB Luke Falk.
? https://t.co/RsszLDKlkk pic.twitter.com/9vsU1ebwkG
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 12, 2019
In a corresponding move, quarterback Luke Falk was released to make room on the 53-man roster.
Copeland missed the first four games of this season after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He set career-high last season in tackles (35) and sacks (5) in his Jets debut.
The linebacker entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Pennsylvania in 2013. Previous stops include Baltimore, Tennessee, and Detroit.
According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, Copeland plans to sue the company that sold him the offending supplement that led him to test positive for PEDs.
“Before taking (the supplement), I sent it to multiple nutritionists and got verified that everything on the label was OK,” said Copeland, per Walker. “Even tried checking it through the NFL app and all of that type of stuff. However, unfortunately, this supplement, in particular, was contaminated.”
Copeland isn’t the only Jets starter making his return this weekend. Quarterback Sam Darnold will take the field for the first time since Week 1, having missed the last three contests due to mononucleosis. After primary backup Trevor Siemian got hurt in Week 2 against Cleveland, Falk took over passing duties.
A stellar preseason (29-of-36, 230 yards, two touchdowns) did not translate to the meaningful games. In three games, including two starts, Falk tallied just 416 yards and three interceptions. Adding to his struggles was a tough performance from the offensive line, as Falk was sacked 16 times.
David Fales will serve as Darnold’s backup.
