Jets will be without Sam Darnold at least into next month

Jets quarterback Sam Darnold was ruled out of Mondays night’s game against the Browns due to mononucleosis.

There are long-term implications here that reach far beyond Monday.

Of course, I have not examined Darnold, nor am I privy to his medical records. This analysis is based on my experience in medicine and the NFL.

The first concern is that “mono” is highly contagious. Darnold will be isolated from the team, and the Jets will be keeping a close eye on others around the building over the next few days. Teams should (and usually do) have precautions in place, and those will be reinforced now. This is not just “the kissing disease.” Mono can be spread by close contact inherent in team atmospheres, such as shared water bottles, the football and meeting room surfaces.

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The next immediate concern is the acute symptoms Darnold is dealing with, which will prevent him from playing for the foreseeable future.

Typically, the spleen and/or liver are enlarged during bouts of mono, so a person infected must stay away from contact sports due to fear of injury, including possible laceration or other damage to the spleen and/or liver, which could cause significant bleeding.

So Darnold is slated for an extended absence.

Even when the spleen and/or liver are no longer enlarged and it is safe for a return to contact, it could be months before Darnold’s energy level and general malaise have passed and he feel like he can return to practice and then play.

At this point, expect the Jets franchise quarterback is out at least until October.