New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will not play Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles as he continues his recovery from a bout with mononucleosis, head coach Adam Gase announced Friday.
Darnold practiced this week but hasn't been cleared by doctors for contact. He underwent tests Thursday night to ensure his spleen was not still enlarged due to the illness.
"The labs didn't come back the way that we were hoping," Gase said. "It's close but it's not where it needs to be."
Darnold acknowledged on Thursday that a hit to his enlarged spleen could be fatal.
"It's a tough thing because you want to stay safe. I want to make sure that I'm safe out there and I'm not going to die," Darnold told reporters.
The sophomore quarterback has been out since Week 2 after contracting mono. He had been pushing to return for the matchup with the Eagles but will now turn his attention to the Jets' Week 6 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.
Luke Falk will make his second consecutive start this week, and the Jets signed David Fales to serve as the backup quarterback.
