Jets to start rookie Darnold in opener
Jets coach Todd Bowles finally revealed the big decision that everyone expected.
Sam Darnold will start at quarterback in the Jets’ season- opening game against the Lions next Monday night in Detroit.
The 21-year-old Darnold will also make some NFL history by becoming the youngest quarterback to start in Week 1 since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. At 21 years and 97 days, the rookie surpasses Drew Bledsoe (21-203), who held the distinction since starting for the Patriots in 1993.
“Sam had a good preseason,” Bowles said Monday. “We weren’t holding him back ... weren’t rushing him at the same time. He still has some things to learn, but it was (his) poise in the pocket and the way he grasped the offense right away. He gives us a very good chance to win.”
Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Nick Foles will start at quarterback in Thursday night’s opener against the Falcons in Philadelphia.
Pederson made the announcement one day after a testy exchange with reporters in which he insisted he wanted to wait.
“In the best interest of everything about the football team and this decision, Nick Foles is the starter Week 1,” Pederson said.
Carson Wentz still hasn’t been medically cleared for contact as he comes back from December surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee.
Foles was the Super Bowl MVP in the Eagles’ 41-33 win over the Patriots.
Wentz didn’t play in the preseason and only recently returned to full practice. Rookie running back Saquon Barkley’s should have no limitations when the Giants open at home Sunday against the Jaguars.
The No. 2 overall draft pick hasn’t played since the the Giants’ preseason opener. He tweaked his hamstring Aug. 13 and wasn’t a full participant in practice until last week. Colin Kaepernick has a new deal with Nike, even without having a job in the NFL.
Kaepernick’s attorney, Mark Geragos, made the announcement on Twitter, calling the former 49ers quarterback an “All American Icon.” Kaepernick also posted a Nike ad featuring his face and wrote: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt”
Kaepernick already had a deal with Nike that was set to expire, but it was renegotiated into a multiyear deal to make him one of the faces of Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign, the AP reported
One day after waiving WR Martavis Bryant, the Raiders signed WR Brandon LaFell. The Bengals waived the 31-yearold LaFell last month. ... The Buccaneers said rookie DT Vita Vea still hasn’t practiced after missing more than a month with a strained calf. The firstround pick likely won’t be available for the team’s opener against the Saints.