Jets QB Darnold returns to practice, has chance to play
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is practicing for the first time since spraining his throwing shoulder and could have a chance to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Coach Adam Gase said
Wednesday before practice that Darnold would be limited, which is a positive development for the young quarterback.
“Right now, we’re just saying that all options are available,” Gase said. “We’ll have him on a pitch count.”
Darnold sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder against Denver on Oct. 1. He briefly left the game to be examined before returning, but hadn’t practiced or played since. Joe Flacco has started the last two games at quarterback for the Jets.
“I think the biggest thing is how is he going to feel tomorrow?” Gase said. “We just
want to make sure that if there’s anything that really lingers or anything when he’s throwing, that’s kind of his red flag of, ‘Hey, I’ve got to let you guys know.’ I think the trainers and Sam have done a good job of communicating back and forth to make sure they’re on the same page and relaying that information to us to make sure that we know what’s going on.”
Darnold has thrown some passes on the side during practices, but hadn’t been involved in individual or team drills since the injury. Gase said both Darnold and Flacco would get snaps during the team period. The Jets will decide later in the week who’ll start.
“It’s one of those situations where we need him to be real honest, which he has done a good job of since I’ve been here,” Gase said of Darnold. “We’ll just kind of see where it goes. We’ll get him rolling and kind of see today how he feels and we have to see the next day as well.”
The Jets are 0- 8 over the last three seasons in games Darnold has not started, including 0- 4 this year.
In other injuries, left guard Alex Lewis was not expected to practice after hurting a shoulder last Sunday at Miami and appears likely to miss the game against the Bills.
Left tackle Mekhi Becton (shoulder), wide receiver Breshad Perriman (ankle) and offensive lineman Chuma Edoga (calf) were expected to be limited. Becton has missed most of the last three games after being hurt against Indianapolis in Week 3. The No. 11 overall pick was off to a terrific start before he was injured, but has a chance to return this week.
“The fact that we’re going to have him out at practice and he’ll be able to do team reps, that’s a good feeling to know,” Gase said. “It’s all about how do we get through the week, how does he feel from today wearing shoulder pads and hitting? And then tomorrow, how is he going to feel Friday?”
Gase was also optimistic about the chances rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims could make his NFL debut this week. The secondround pick has been sidelined since training camp with hamstring issues. Gase said Mims worked with the scout team last week and is expected to participate in regular offensive drills this week.
NOTES: CB Bryce Hall was designated to return to practice from the non-football injury list. The fifthround pick out of Virginia has been sidelined since an ankle injury ended his college career. ... The Jets placed OLB Frankie Luvu on injured reserve with a groin injury.