Earlier this season, Sam Darnold was taken out of the Jets starting rotation due to mononucleosis an illness, which left untreated, could lead to serious health complications. Recently, however, NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, per source, reported the big news that Darnold was cleared to play. But could he threaten to sit?
Cause for Concern
The Jets have an inability to protect the quarterback. QB Trevor Siemian suffered a gruesome ankle injury in a MNF loss to the Cleveland Browns, and QB Luke Faulk recently cleared concussion protocol after receiving a concussion late in a brutal beat down by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Darnold has voiced his concerns about returning to the Jets.
“I want to make sure that I’m safe out there and I’m not going to die” (Sam Darnold) .
The QB will have extra padding around his mid-section.
Still, some of his teammates have expressed excitement for Darnold’s return. Most notably by Pro Bowl RB Le’Veon Bell:
My Take:
Could Sam Darnold threaten to sit, sure—if certain safety concerns aren’t addressed. Offensive coordinators need to set beefy blocking packages in place or work Darnold primarily from the shotgun.
I don’t think Sam Darnold will sit.
For 1. He is no doubt a talented QB who can keep defenses a bit honest 2. The Jets have a ton of tape on what’s been going wrong. One could only assume the Jets would do what’s necessary to protect their highly coveted investment.
If Sam Darnold is ready to go, look for him to be out there on the field against the Cowboys but only if certain protective measures are put in place. Of course, football is a contract sport, but Danold’s health and longevity have to be priority 1 going into their next game.
*Darnold signed a 4 year $30 million contract with the Jets as a 1st round pick in 2018 (3rd overall). The sophmore also has a 4th quarter game-winning-drive against the Buffalo Bills (2018) 27-23, with 170 yards, 1 td, 1 int. (Pro-Football-Reference.com)
Cover photo : Bill Moore
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