Second year quarterback Sam Darnold will try to bring a spark back to the 0-4 New York Jets. The team announced Tuesday that he has been cleared of mono and will start for the team on Sunday.
Darnold will be returning to the field after being inactive the last three weeks, despite taking first-team practice reps before the team’s Week 5 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Trevor Siemian out for the season, Luke Falk will serve as Darnold’s back-up.
The Jets are hoping their franchise quarterback’s return will be able to kickstart a stagnant offense that has had just one offensive touchdown since Darnold’s Week 1 start.
“Hopefully I can have an impact once I do come back, but it’s about all eleven guys executing,” Darnold told reporters at a press conference last Thursday. “Like I said, just believe in the play call. Going out there and executing it — if we do that we’ll score.”
If nothing else, Darnold will enter Week 6 fully confident that he can help get the Jets back on track.
“I feel really good. During practice I got a lot of energy and you know everything’s clicking for me. I’m seeing the plays,” Darnold told reporters before the Eagle loss Thursday. “I feel like I’m ready to play. My energy is great. I’m having fun out there.”
The Jets will be hosting the Dallas Cowboys (3-2) on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. As of last week, the Cowboys were considered the odds-on favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 54. After two-straight losses, Dallas will enter Week 6 desperate for a win.
