Darnold OK’d for non-contact work

But quarterback’s return to game action unsure

NEW YORK — Sam Darnold can finally start throwing footballs again. When the New York Jets quarterback will be able to do so in a game remains uncertain.

Darnold was cleared Monday for non-contact activities, but he can’t yet lift weights and declined to say whether the swelling of his spleen — a serious symptom of mononucleosis — has dissipated.

“I’ll let kind of the specifics come out when they do, and when coach (Adam) Gase wants to disclose that information,” Darnold said during a conference call. “For me, it’s just doing what the doctors say. It’s out of my control.

“My spleen, at this point, is going to do what it’s going to do.”

The Jets are 0-3 coming off a bye-week break that did little to clarify the health statuses of several key players.

Darnold, linebackers C.J. Mosley (groin) and Jordan Jenkins (calf ) and wide receiver Josh Bellamy (shoulder) all appear likely to miss the Jets’ game Sunday at Philadelphia, although rookie defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (ankle) could be back.

The uncertainty over Darnold’s health means Luke Falk could make his second straight start. Week 5 had been the goal for Darnold and the doctors, but that might prove to be overly optimistic.

“There’s just a lot of gray right now,” Gase said of Darnold, adding that the Jets have “a lot of boxes that we’ve got to check before we can say, hey, we’re rolling on Sunday.”

Elevated from the practice squad two weeks ago, Falk played in place of Darnold and the injured Trevor Siemian in Week 3 at New England before the Jets’ bye-week break.

“It’s not an ideal situation,” Gase said of not knowing whether he needs to prepare Falk to start against the Eagles or if Darnold will be ready to go. “It’s one of those things where it’s the sooner the better that I have an answer.”

Darnold would like to have a full week of practice before he plays in a game, so Wednesday will be a crucial day for him and the Jets.