Jets' Darnold plans to play Week 5, unsure how spleen will respond

Sam Darnold is still targeting Week 5 for his return after contracting mononucleosis.

The New York Jets quarterback is doing his best to suit up for the team's next game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Right now, I'm saying there's a good chance, just because of how I feel, but there's no telling if my spleen is going to go down," Darnold said Monday on "The Michael Kay Show," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.

"If it is where it is and I can't play, obviously, that's not up to me ... but right now, I'm planning on playing."

The sophomore quarterback hasn't featured since Week 1. Initially, he was expected to miss between three and seven weeks. He said in mid-September that doctors were targeting Week 5 for his return.

Jets head coach Adam Gase said Monday that Darnold is cleared for non-contact activities. His concern, however, is his QB taking a shot that affects his spleen.

"At this point, it's out of my control," Darnold said. "My spleen is going to do what it's going to do."

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