Starting over: Darnold back
Healthy, QB set to play for struggling Jets vs. Cowboys
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 the Cowboys.
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.
The team was optimistic last week that Darnold would be able to play against the Eagles in Philadelphia, which was the initial goal for his return. Darnold took first-team snaps last Wednesday and Thursday, but an ultrasound and blood test last Thursday night revealed he wasn’t 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.
The Jets lost 31-6 and Falk was sacked nine times and had two turnovers returned for TDs, while the Jets struggled to get going on offense.
Darnold was diagnosed with mono on Sept. 11, three days after the season-opening loss to the Bills.
Backup Trevor Siemian started in Week 2 against the Browns, but he suffered seasonending ligament damage in his left ankle in the 23-3 loss.
Bausby couldn’t move: Broncos cornerback De’Vante Bausby said he was paralyzed for half an hour Sunday after wrenching his neck in the second quarter of the Broncos’ 20-13 win over the Chargers.
“After 30 minutes I could wiggle my toes. After two hours, I could move everything else,” Bausby said Tuesday, his neck brace sitting next to his locker.
Bausby collided with teammate Alexander Johnson on a tackle and crumpled to the grass. He said he never lost consciousness as he was strapped to a backboard, taken off the field on a cart and transported to a Los Angeles trauma center. He has a cervical sprain.
Bausby said he never panicked that he’d be permanently paralyzed because his neurologist reassured him that he’d regain movement.
“I was calm and trusted what our doc was saying,” said Bausby, who was walking gingerly 48 hours after injuring his neck.
“I’m good. I’m just moving slow. I’m just kind of weak,” he said.
Coach Vic Fangio said Bausby won’t need any medical procedures but is out indefinitely as the team’s medical staff monitors his recovery. Bausby hopes to go on IR.
Extra points: 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk likely will miss four to six weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee . ... Steelers reserve RB Jaylen Samuels likely will miss about four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery for a knee sprain.