WATCH: Sam Darnold's absence could provide fatal blow to New York Jets' season
Just when we thought the train wreck couldn't get worse, the onslaught keeps piling on for the New York Jets.
In addition to the injury news that broke earlier this week, it was revealed Thursday morning that quarterback Sam Darnold will be out of action indefinitely due to an untimely case of mononucleosis.
Jets coach Adam Gase said Darnold has already lost about five pounds and emphasized the Week 4 bye, which could indicate his starting quarterback might not be available until the Week 5 matchup at the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I don't want to put predictions on anything," Gase said. "I'm just glad we've got the bye week when we do."
With Darnold possibly on the metaphorical shelf until at least Week 5, Gang Green will turn to backup quarterback Trevor Siemian. This is a significantly impactful situation, yet Gase isn't making any excuses with his starting quarterback sidelined.
"It is about everybody doing their job, that's why Trevor is here. We signed Trevor specifically because his 24 starts in his career with a winning record, has a lot of experience, has been on winning ball clubs, he has the respect of the locker room," Gase said. "The reaction I got, the way that guys looked was, "Let's go," and there is confidence there."
I’m sure it’s obvious at this point, but unless Siemian plays like the second coming of Peyton Manning (which, by the way, the Denver Broncos thought he could be, for some reason) Darnold’s prolonged absence could be a death knell for the 2019 season.
Siemian cited Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder and Ryan Griffin as examples of players that will aid him in this transition.
"I can lean on these guys and it makes my job pretty simple. I can run the show and like I said, put the ball in the end zone," Siemian said. "But, it makes my job easier leaning on these guys for sure."
That's exactly what Siemian is supposed to say, right?
But is it a little extreme to say that the season’s already over just one week in? Absolutely, but it’s hard to think that the Jets can bounce back after all they’ve been through when you look at the facts.
The Jets will face the Cleveland Browns (Week 2) and New England Patriots (Week 3) in their next two games with a marginal quarterback under center who hasn’t played a down since 2017.
Also, if the offense was unable to live up to its billing with Darnold under center, what’s to say that things will magically turn around once Siemian is handed the keys to the offense?
Barring a miracle (which the Jets really need), there’s a very realistic shot that the team heads into their Week 4 bye in a 0-3 hole, which is pretty much a death sentence for a team with postseason aspirations if history is any indication.
Since the 1980 NFL season, just six of the 176 teams to start a season with an 0-3 record made the postseason that year, with the 2018 Houston Texans being the most recent team to do so.
The team’s Week 4 bye definitely plays into Gang Green’s favor and if Darnold is ready to play again, getting out of a hypothetical 0-3 hole is a less daunting task.
However, a brutal four-game slate featuring the Philadelphia Eagles (Week 5), Dallas Cowboys (Week 6), the Patriots (Week 7) and Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 8) won’t make things easy on New York.
Siemian for his part is embracing the challenge ahead.
"We've got such a mentally tough team and so many good players. These guys are built for this," Siemian said. "Sam, I know is not hurt, but we're going to have a couple injuries this year. That's just the nature of it, but this team is built to handle it."
Meanwhile, Gase is maintaining a positive public front in the midst of what could essentially derail the Jets' season.
"I think we are going to look back at this and this is going to be a good thing for us," Gase said. "I think it will bring that locker room even tighter."
Honestly though, it would take the most ardent Gang Green supporter to envision that.
New York’s season outlook from here on out is looking pretty grim. All we can do is hope this team is more resilient than expected and somehow the storm is weathered.
