Jets’ Darnold unlikely to play against Bills
Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is likely to miss Sunday’s game against the Bills because of a strained foot.
Take a seat, Sam. You’re sitting this one out.
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold was listed as doubtful Friday for the team’s game against Buffalo on Sunday, making it highly unlikely he will serve as Josh McCown’s backup.
While coach Todd Bowles left open the possibility Darnold could still dress for the game, the rookie did not practice all week after straining his right foot last Sunday in the Jets’ 13-6 loss at Miami. He wore a boot on his foot and watched from the side during practice.
Davis Webb is likely to be signed from the practice squad to the active roster to provide insurance for the 39-year-old McCown, who will make his first start of the
season.
“How he feels, how we think he compares as to having Davis as the backup,” Bowles said of what will go into the decision on Darnold. “We’ll think about a lot of stuff.”
The Jets (3-6) will have a bye-week break after they play the Bills, with their next game on Nov. 25
against New England. That would give Darnold three weeks to heal — although Bowles said the timing didn’t factor in the team sitting him for McCown.
“He’s just not healthy right now,” Bowles said of Darnold.
Bowles said on Thursday that Darnold will move back into the starting role once he’s healthy, regardless of how McCown is playing.
McCown was the starter last season and had a career year before missing
the final three games with a broken left hand. He played limited snaps in the preseason, but Bowles isn’t concerned about potential rust.
“He looks like a spring chicken right now,” the coach said. “He hasn’t played in a while, so he’s very camp fresh right now. He should be fine.”
Darnold leads the NFL with 14 interceptions and his play took a bad turn during New York’s threegame losing streak. He has
two touchdown passes and seven INTs in that span while working with a supporting cast that has been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency.
McCown will likely be without one of his key receivers, with Robby Anderson doubtful to play after not practicing all week with an ankle injury.
Anderson has been dealing with it the past few weeks, but played last Sunday against Miami after sitting out against Chicago.