What to Know
- Sam Darnold will miss at least this week's game -- and possibly more -- because he was diagnosed with mono, the team said Thursday
- Head coach Adam Gase said former Broncos backup Trevor Siemian will start in Darnold's place against the Browns Monday night
- Gase said Darnold missed practice Wednesday because he wasn't feeling well; antibiotics weren't working -- and then the diagnosis came
An abysmal start to the 2019 NFL season could get worse for the Jets, with quarterback Sam Darnold, selected third overall in last year's draft, slated to miss Monday night's game, and possibly more, thanks to mononucleosis.
Trevor Siemian will start in Darnold's place, and could be the starter moving forward until Darnold recovers. The Jets have a game at New England in Week 3 before they have a bye-week break, and then games at Philadelphia, at home against Dallas and New England before a road game at Jacksonville on Oct. 27 to cap a rough opening stretch.
When a reporter pointed out that mono usually take several weeks from which to heal, Gase nodded.
"Oh, I'm aware," Gase said. "Good thing we've got the early bye week."
Darnold was sent home by the team Wednesday with what Gase said was "strep throat or something." Team doctors later told Gase that antibiotics weren't working as quickly as expected, leading to the diagnosis.
"He's going through some of these tests to kind of see where he's at with all this," Gase said. "I know he's out this week. Then, past that, I'll have more information as we go."
U.S. & World
Gase said he, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and athletic trainer Dave Zuffelato went to Darnold's home to deliver the news to the quarterback and he took it "not well," according to the coach.
"He wasn't real happy about it," Gase said. "All three of us went over there and he knew something was up when Dowell and myself showed up. I just wanted to make sure it was delivered right, and I figured I could be the bearer of bad news on this one."
The coach says Darnold's biggest concern is weight loss. Gase adds Darnold has already lost about 5 pounds.
"That was something that was alarming to him, that he lost weight already in the last couple of days," Gase said. "He can't be in the building right now, so he's like, 'I need to get meals over here, I need to make sure that I'm getting enough of what I need to keep my weight.' I mean, he went right into, all right, how do I maintain?"
Gase said Luke Falk will be promoted from the practice squad to serve as Siemian's backup. The Jets could also look to sign an experienced quarterback for depth.
Gang Green opened the season 0-1 after blowing a 16-0 lead over the Bills Week 1.
