Darnold anticipating Week 5 return from bout with mono

The New York Jets are already down to their third-string quarterback after two weeks, but the team received some positive news on Tuesday.

Starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who missed Week 2 with mononucleosis, is targeting a Week 5 return.

"The goal is Philly. Week 5 ... That's what the doctors are estimating for me," Darnold said Tuesday on "The Michael Kay Show," according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

It was initially reported the sophomore passer would miss multiple weeks, and then the timeline was updated to a three-to-seven-week absence.

Darnold said he's already allowed back at the Jets' facility after just one week away, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.

The 22-year-old said he wasn't feeling 100% during the team's season opener against the Buffalo Bills, and his body "decided to shut down" following the game. In addition to mono, he was also battling strep throat, according to the New York Post's Brian Costello. Darnold also said he's lost only two pounds while battling the illness.

His return can't come soon enough for the snakebitten Jets. Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian was lost for the season after suffering an ankle injury on Monday night. Luke Falk, who made his NFL debut as Siemian's injury replacement, has already been announced as the team's starter for Week 3 against the New England Patriots.

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