Darnold cleared for non-contact work, says spleen will 'do what it's going to do'

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold has been cleared for non-contact activities, head coach Adam Gase told reporters on Monday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The second-year signal-caller's return timetable remains unknown.

Darnold, who contracted mononucleosis after Week's 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, hasn't even thrown during practices since then, missing two games thus far.

The symptoms of mononucleosis can include an enlarged spleen. Darnold will not be cleared for a full return to football activities until his spleen returns to its normal size, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.

"At this point, it's out of my control. My spleen is going to do what it's going to do," Darnold said Monday, according to Andy Vasquez of The Record.

Darnold completed 28 of 41 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown in the 17-16 season-opening loss.

The winless Jets are coming off a bye and will travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in Week 5.

New York will continue to rely on second-year quarterback Luke Falk in Darnold's absence. Falk has yet to throw his first NFL touchdown in two professional appearances, in which his offense averaged 8.5 points per game.