Sam Darnold is out for the Jets' game Monday night against the Browns because of mononucleosis, but the QB has told the team he's "already feeling better" and is hoping for a best-case scenario of a Week 5 return, according to sources.
Give Adam Gase and the Jets credit for thinking outside the box and ignoring the unwritten provisions of the Border War to trade with New England.
The New York Jets will be without two key defensive players against the Cleveland Browns on Monday night -- middle linebacker C.J. Mosley and rookie defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, both of whom were ruled out Saturday.
The big injury news for the Jets is LB C.J. Mosley and rookie DT Quinnen Williams have been ruled out for Monday night. Mosley is a big loss because he's the defensive signal caller. Neville Hewitt will be the "Mike" linebacker. Without Sam Darnold (mononucleosis) and Mosley, the Jets will be without their two leaders. Le'Veon Bell, Demaryius Thomas and Kelvin Beachum are expected to play.
If the Jets beat the Browns on Monday night, QB Trevor Siemian gets a bonus, thanks to an unusual clause in the contract he signed in March. Siemian receives $31,250 for each game in which he plays at least 50 percent of the offensive snaps AND wins, per ESPN's Dan Graziano. The playing-time percentage is not an uncommon clause for backup QBs (Josh McCown had it with the Jets), but the winning incentive is different.
Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams refuted Odell Beckham Jr.'s accusations that he coaches his players to injure opponents, claiming Friday, "We don't do that. Never done that anywhere I've been."
Jets injury report: The biggest questions involve C.J. Mosley and Quinnen Williams. Both are progressing, according to Adam Gase, who said he wouldn't count out either one. My sense is Williams will play Monday night; Mosley is iffy. Le'Veon Bell is good to go. Kelvin Beachum is trending toward playing. (Note: There was no practice Friday; this is an estimation.)
C.J. Mosley, not practicing because of a groin pull, is holding out hope for Monday night, but he didn't sound overly optimistic. "I expect to play (Monday), but if my body isn't there, I won't be able to," he said. Mosley said he hopes to test it tomorrow. He said he has to be smart because it's early in the season and he doesn't want to make it worse. He acknowledged he has difficult planting and driving because of the injury. His replacement at middle linebacker would be Neville Hewitt.
More on Sam Darnold and his mononucleosis: The Jets have no plans to place him on short-term IR, per Adam Gase, meaning they expect him back before eight weeks. The biggest concern with the disease is an enlarged spleen, which could rupture with direct contact. Said Gase: "He is not going to be put out there to where something like that could happen." Sounds like the Jets will look to sign a third QB next week. For now, Trevor Siemian and Luke Falk are QB1 and QB2, respectively.
Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams teaches "cheap shots" and "dirty hits." Beckham said one such play during a preseason game two years ago led to a series of injuries that nearly derailed his career.
Noteworthy on the injury report is that LT Kelvin Beachum (ankle) didn't practice. He played the entire game on Sunday. As noted earlier, Le'Veon Bell's MRI showed no significant damage.
Le'Veon Bell's MRI revealed no major damage or tears, per source. The test was mostly precautionary - Jeremy Fowler
Finally, some good news for the Jets: Le'Veon Bell's shoulder MRI revealed no major damage or tears, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. As Adam Gase noted earlier, the MRI was precautionary.
The Jets believe Odell Beckham, Jr. will have something to prove Monday night in his return to MetLife Stadium. LB Jordan Jenkins said, "We're going to see his best. He's coming to his home and he didn't leave the Giants on good terms. I know he's not playing the team he came from, but he knows that staff is going to be watching, so he's gonna try to make a statement in this game." OBJ added some juice Thursday by accusing Jets DC Gregg Williams, fired by the Browns, of teaching dirty tactics to his players.
With starting QB Sam Darnold sidelined indefinitely, Siemian is being asked to rescue the Jets (0-1) against a brutal schedule.
Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will be sidelined indefinitely after being diagnosed with mononucleosis, coach Adam Gase announced Thursday.
Trevor Siemien (13-11 record as starter) is a competent short-term fix, but let's be real: Losing Sam Darnold indefinitely with mononucleosis is a major blow to the Jets. The plan is to lean on RB Le'Veon Bell, but now he's dealing with a concerning shoulder injury. It's not an overstatement to say the season could get away from them. Check out the upcoming schedule: Week 3 at New England, Week 4 bye, Week 5 at Philly, Week 6 Dallas and Week 7 New England. Tough start for Adam Gase.
The Jets D-coordinator wants his players to be attacking, competition-aholics. Next up on the plains of East Rutherford is Williams' former team.
On Monday, New York's coach complained about his offense. On Tuesday, the Jets traded for receiver Demaryius Thomas. There's a new sheriff in town.
Will the Bengals have their star running back on the field against the 49ers? NFL Nation provides the latest updates direct from locker rooms.
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(3) | Quinnen Williams | DT | Alabama |
| 3(4) | Jachai Polite | DE | Florida |
| 3(28) | Chuma Edoga | OT | USC |
| 4(19) | Trevon Wesco | TE | West Virginia |
| 5(19) | Blake Cashman | ILB | Minnesota |
| 6(23) | Blessuan Austin | CB | Rutgers |
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 17 | 16 |
| New England | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 33 | 3 |
| New York | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 16 | 17 |
| Miami | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 10 | 59 |
