Jets' Sam Darnold on Status vs. Eagles: Want to Make Sure 'I'm Not Gonna Die'

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold provided an eye-opening (albeit light-hearted) response when asked about his potential return to the lineup with additional padding after dealing with mononucleosis. 

Darnold, whose status remains unsettled ahead of the Jets' Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, commented on the situation Thursday:

The 2018 third overall pick played in New York's season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills, but he missed losses to the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots before the team's Week 4 bye.

Darnold completed 28 of his 41 attempts (68.3 percent) for 175 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions against the Bills' stout pass defense in Week 1. He's coming off an up-and-down rookie campaign during which he threw 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Jets head coach Adam Gase left the door open for Darnold to play against the Eagles after the quarterback returned to practice Wednesday.

"I like our odds better than what they've been," Gase told reporters. "Last week, if we would've been playing again, I would've said it's very low. I like the fact that things have looked and progressed in the right direction. But I don't know what that 5 percent is. There's some gray still there."

Dr. David Chao told Brian Costello of the New York Post that mono presents a variety of different challenges, but the enlargement of the spleen and/or liver is the biggest health concern.

Luke Falk, who replaced Trevor Siemian during the Browns game after the latter suffered a season-ending ankle injury, would draw another start if Darnold isn't cleared.

Falk's 76.2 passer rating is the fifth-worst mark among qualified quarterbacks this season. His presence would limit the Jets' offensive upside against the Eagles' last-ranked pass defense.