Sam Darnold is going to need at least one more week of recovery before returning to the field.
Jets coach Adam Gase told reporters Friday that his quarterback has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles as he continues to recover from mononucleosis.
Coach Gase announces that QB Sam Darnold is out Sunday for #NYJvsPHI.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 4, 2019
Darnold had been scheduled to undergo bloodwork and have an ultrasound on his spleen Friday morning to determine whether he was ready to play, but Luke Falk will get the call instead.
"When we told (Darnold), the first thing he says is, 'I feel like I'm letting the other guys down,'" Gase said, via NFL Media. "He did everything he was asked to do. It just didn't work out for him."
Darnold had not lifted, run or thrown since being diagnosed with mono last month, but ramped up his workouts this week after being cleared for non-contact drills Monday, offering hope that he could make his return on time.
He did note Thursday that as badly as he wanted to return to the field, he didn't want to take any unnecessary chances.
"It's a tough thing because you want to stay safe," Darnold told reporters. "I want to make sure that I'm safe out there and that I'm not gonna die. ... For me, sitting back and watching the team play and not having anything to do with the win or the loss, it's not a good feeling for me."
Darnold, selected by New York with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft, has been out since Sept. 12.
In two games, Falk has gone 32 of 47 for 296 yards and one interception. He’s also been sacked seven times.
The Jets (0-4) travel to face the Eagles (2-2) Sunday, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.
