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SPORTS Thursday 3 OcTOber 2019
Jets QB Darnold practicing, still not cleared for contact

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. “Ideally, it would be nice to
AP Pro Football Writer say, this is what we’re do-
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) ing,” Gase said. “That’s just
— Sam Darnold was back not the situation. We’ve just
on the field, breaking got to keep talking to the
down the pre-practice doctors every day, keep
huddle and tossing passes talking with him and we
while looking as though he have to be prepared to go
hadn’t missed a beat. either way.”
The New York Jets and their Gase spoke to the media
quarterback still need to before practice, so he was
wait before they know if he uncertain at that point as
can play in a game. to how Darnold would look
Darnold practiced during practice _ or how
Wednesday for the first much work the quarter-
time since being diag- back would get.
nosed with mononucleosis “I just don’t know how it’s
three weeks ago. He still going to go,” Gase said.
hasn’t been cleared for “We could go out there
physical contact or lifting and plans could change.
weights, leaving his avail- He could take every rep. It
ability for New York’s game could go either way.”
at Philadelphia on Sunday The 22-year-old Darnold
uncertain. In this Sept. 8, 2019, file photo, New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) makes a pass during was diagnosed with mono-
“I like our odds better an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, in East Rutherford, N.J. nucleosis on Sept. 11 and
than what they’ve been,” Associated Press has missed two games be-
coach Adam Gase said. cause of the illness. He re-
“Last week, if we would like he was away.” rious _ and, in some cases, will play against the Eagles cently acknowledged he
have been playing a Added Crowder: “He’s life-threatening _ situation, or Luke Falk will make his felt a bit under the weather
game, I would have said it been out three or four so the Jets and Darnold are second straight start. Falk _ a sign the symptoms were
was really low. I like the fact weeks, but first day back, being cautious. will also get snaps during beginning to affect him _ in
that things have looked coming off the bye week, Darnold was wearing a team drills this week. the season-opening loss to
and progressed in the right I thought today was really red no-contact jersey dur- “You’ve got to get the Buffalo on Sept. 8.
direction. ... There’s just good.” Gase said Darnold ing practice, a common physical reps after practice Darnold went 28 of 41 for
some gray there still.” will have additional tests Fri- sight around NFL camps with the guys and you’ve 175 yards and a touch-
Darnold was listed as a limit- day and the team will lean for quarterbacks. But, Gase got to be locked in men- down against the Bills, but
ed participant at practice, on the doctors to deter- doesn’t normally have his tally when (Darnold) is get- wasn’t as sharp as he had
but wide receivers Robby mine what the quarterback QBs wear them. ting his reps with the 1s,” been throughout training
Anderson and Jamison can do physically. The size “No one’s going to touch Falk said. “You’ve got to be camp and the preseason.
Crowder both gave the of the quarterback’s spleen him today,” Gase said. “I ready to roll.” The quarterback spoke
quarterback positive re- is being monitored. Swelling can promise you that.” The team’s only other Monday about not being
views. of the organ is a common Gase acknowledged that healthy quarterback is Mike concerned about his con-
“He looked good,” Ander- symptom of mononucleo- the Jets could go as far as White, who was signed to ditioning if he’s cleared to
son said. “He looked com- sis. Damage to the spleen, Sunday morning before de- the practice squad last play, but more on his throw-
fortable. To me, I didn't feel including a rupture, is a se- termining whether Darnold week. ing and timing. q

Continued from Page 17 The Players Championship or four weeks rehabilitating
He said his knee made it and the Tour Champion- his left knee and was excit-
difficult to walk down hills ship, which gave him the ed for a new season and
and that it kept him from FedEx Cup for the second fresh legs. He likes the TPC
practicing. He returned time. McIlroy also won the Summerlin and the way the
to practice a little over a Vardon Trophy for the low- field has shaped up. It is the
week ago and feels this is est adjusted scoring aver- strongest of the fall with six
the most prepared he has age. Still, even McIlroy was of the top 20 in the world,
felt going into a tourna- surprised he won. a list that features Patrick
ment in some time. Koepka shrugged when Cantlay, Tony Finau, Adam
With all that, he still man- asked about it Wednesday Scott, U.S. Open champion
aged to have the three at the TPC Summerlin. Gary Woodland and de-
victories, lead the PGA Tour “I don’t play for awards,” fending champion Bryson
money list and join Jack he said. “I play to win tour- DeChambeau.
Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and naments.” Also playing is Phil Mick-
Jordan Spieth as the only He also used an NBA ref- elson, who missed the In this May 19, 2019, file photo, Brooks Koepka poses with the
Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf
players to finish among the erence, suggesting ev- cut last week in the Safe- tournament, in Farmingdale, N.Y.
top four in every major. Ko- eryone knows that LeBron way Open. Mickelson last Associated Press
epka was runner-up at the James has been the best played Las Vegas in 2005.
Masters and U.S. Open. in basketball for the last Koepka last played Las Ve- PGA Tour events and was and win as many times
It just wasn’t good enough decade or more. gas in 2017, finishing two three months away from as I can. I enjoy it. I enjoy
to be voted PGA Tour play- “LeBron has won only four shots behind Rod Pam- winning his first one. the competition. I want to
er of the year. That award, MVPs,” Koepka said. “I’m pling. He first played in “At that time, I was trying be the best. Everybody is
a vote of the players, went pretty sure he’s been the 2014, his first full season on to win, but it was trying to in the rearview mirror. I’ve
to Rory McIlroy, whose best player.” the PGA Tour. At the time, compete,” he said. “Now just got to figure out how to
three victories included Koepka said he spent three he had played only regular it’s just go out and win, consistently stay on top.”q