New York Jets Are Completely Cursed
By Karl Rasmussen
2019 was expected to be the year the New York Jets took the steps from NFL laughingstock into potential playoff team, but before we even enter Week 2, their season's aspirations were just delivered a devastating blow.
The Jets' Thursday's morning injury update revealed a handful of potentially significant injuries (or illness) to various key members of the squad.
The biggest blow to the Jets is the loss of quarterback Sam Darnold. He is dealing with mono and is expected to miss at least one week as he recovers from the illness. Filling in for Darnold is former Northwestern QB Trevor Siemian. The team also promoted Luke Falk from the practice squad to serve as Siemian's backup.
Sam Darnold has mononucleosis and is out for Monday Night Football vs. Cleveland.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 12, 2019
Additionally, star running back and marquee offseason addition Le'Veon Bell underwent an MRI Thursday, though fortunately it revealed nothing worrisome.
I got great news, my shoulder is fine so no worries...just had to make sure everything was ready to go for Monday night ??? lets get it
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) September 12, 2019
On the defensive side of the ball, No. 3 overall pick Quinnen Williams has an ailing ankle and did not practice on Thursday, leaving him questionable for Monday's tilt. Linebacker CJ Mosley, another big-money signing, did not practice Thursday either after suffering a groin injury in his Jets debut.
Jets injury updates:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 12, 2019
QB Sam Darnold: Mono, out for Week 2, possibly multiple weeks
RB Le’Veon Bell: Out of practice today, getting an MRI on shoulder
DL Quinnen Williams: Not practicing today (ankle)
LB CJ Mosley: Left Week 1 (groin), no practice today
WR Quincy Enunwa: On IR
To cap it all off, the Jets placed WR Quincy Enunwa on IR with a neck injury earlier in the week.
This is more than a stroke of bad luck for the organization. This feels like an actual curse. Whenever things start looking bright for the Jets, and the franchise seems poised to take a step forward, they end up taking multiple paces in the opposite direction.
The #Jets have a bye in Week 4, which now seems fortunate. Coach Adam Gase indicated QB Sam Darnold could miss multiple weeks, leaving Week 5 against the #Eagles as a possible return date.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2019
The Jets will likely falter during their next two games against the Browns and Patriots, but their Week 4 bye is an absolute blessing. The injury-riddled team is in need of an early week of rest, and they'll get that come the month's end.
Things will likely get worse for the Jets before they get better, but at this point, it's hardly a surprise for the fan base.