Darnold cleared to play vs. Cowboys
NEW YORK >> Sam Darnold’s spleen is fully healthy and he’ll be back under center as the struggling Jets’ starting quarterback. Finally. Darnold was cleared by doctors Tuesday to play this week after he missed three games while recovering from mononucleosis. He had medical tests to determine if the swelling in his spleen — a common symptom of the illness — had dissipated enough for him to play again. The Jets announced in a Twitter post that Darnold would start Sunday at home against Dallas.
It’s some rare good news for the Jets, who are 0-4 — their worst start since 2003 — while dealing with several injuries to key players. And Darnold’s illness is at the top of the list.
The team was optimistic last week that Darnold would be able to play at Philadelphia, which was the initial goal for his return. Darnold took firstteam snaps last Wednesday and Thursday, but an ultrasound and blood test last Thursday night revealed he was not yet able to be fully cleared. So Luke Falk — on one day of full reps with the first-team offense — started his second straight game for New York.
The Jets lost 31-6 and Falk was sacked nine times and had two turnovers returned for touchdowns while New York struggled to get anything going on offense.
BARKLEY UNSURE IF HE’LL PLAY VS. PATRIOTS >> New York Giants injured running back Saquon Barkley does not know whether he will play against the New England Patriots.
Barkley practiced on a limited basis Tuesday as the injury-depleted Giants (2-3) got ready for Thursday night’s game against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots (5-0).
The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Barkley has missed the past two games with high sprain to his right ankle. He was hurt on Sept. 15 against the Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida.
Compounding the problem for New York was the concussion sustained this past weekend by running back Wayne Gallman in the 28-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Barkley has insisted he feels better, but he also understands it might be better for him to skip the Patriots’ game and return 10 days later, when the Giants play host to the Arizona Cardinals.
TITANS ADD K PARKEY >> The Tennessee Titans have signed kicker Cody Parkey one day after waiving Cairo Santos.
Santos missed three field-goal attempts and had a fourth blocked Sunday in a 14-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The Titans signed Santos had been signed Sept. 4 when they put veteran Ryan Succop on injured reserve. Succop remains three weeks away from being eligible to be activated off injured reserve.
Parkey played for the Chicago Bears last season but was released after missing a 43-yard field goal in the closing seconds of a 16-15 playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.