Jets QB Darnold to get MRI on sore shoulder

NEW YORK — Sam Darnold hopes to be under center for the New York Jets next Monday night despite some concern over his sore right shoulder.

The starting quarterback was going to have an MRI and get a second medical opinion on the shoulder as a precaution after Darnold took a hard hit during New York’s 35-9 loss at Kansas City on Sunday. He missed two games last month after spraining the AC joint in the shoulder against Denver on Oct. 1.

“I woke up and it feels better than I thought it would, honestly,” Darnold said during a conference call Monday. “Right now, I’m just taking it one day at a time.”

Darnold scrambled for 5 yards early in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs, but stayed upright — rather than slide — as he absorbed hits from Tershawn Wharton and Tanoh Kpassagnon. The quarterback grimaced as he got up and appeared to be favoring his right arm. He had his shoulder checked out by trainers on the sideline before returning to the game on New York’s next series.

“The hit definitely didn’t help,” Darnold said. “I should’ve slid and not taken the hit. Obviously, I’m going to continue to learn from my mistakes like that.”

Coach Adam Gase said the quarterback will be evaluated throughout the week. He was uncertain as to whether Darnold will be ready to start against the AFC East-rival New England Patriots at home, but was optimistic.

“We’re just doing our due diligence on this,” Gase said. “We’re making sure we’re kind of double-checking everything and making sure he’s good. He’s a little sore today. The indications right now are that we’re in good shape, but we’re going to keep working through this and make sure we cover everything before we say anything about what’s going on this week.

“I’m hoping he’s good to go to practice.”

With the Jets 0-8 for the first time since 1996, some have wondered why the team doesn’t just shut Darnold down for several weeks and not take any unnecessary risks with the 23-year-old quarterback.

Darnold has struggled mightily, though, along with the rest of the Jets’ offense. He threw for just 133 yards at Kansas City a week after having just 120 yards passing — the second-lowest total of his career — against Buffalo.

For the season, Darnold has thrown for just three touchdowns with six interceptions in six games. His 65.9 quarterback rating is last in the NFL among quarterbacks that have made at least three starts, and is the lowest of his career.

JETS TRADE WILLAMSON TO STEELERS

The Jets agreed late Sunday night to trade veteran linebacker Avery Williamson to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets also are sending a 2022 seventh-round draft pick to the Steelers for Pittsburgh’s 2022 fifthrounder.

The deal, announced by both teams Monday, moves Williamson from the Jets, who are 0-8 after a 35-9 loss at Kansas City, to the 7-0 Steelers, the league’s only undefeated team after a 28-24 win at Baltimore.

The 28-year-old Williamson should immediately help the Steelers, who were in need of an experienced inside linebacker after Devin Bush was lost for the season on Oct. 18 with a torn ACL. Pittsburgh has survived without Bush but the run defense was gashed by the Ravens, who piled up 265 yards rushing but were undone by four turnovers by quarterback Lamar Jackson.