NY Jets: Sam Darnold and Mekhi Becton expected to return on Sunday

The NY Jets expect to see the returns of both Sam Darnold and Mekhi Becton in Week 7.

The NY Jets are set to welcome back two of their most promising young players this week with both quarterback Sam Darnold and left tackle Mekhi Becton expected to return this Sunday.

Head coach Adam Gase spoke to reporters prior to Friday’s practice and gave injury updates about a variety of players. The updates were overwhelmingly positive and that included the statuses of both Darnold and Becton.

Gase said that, barring any setbacks, both are in-line to play this Sunday when the Jets take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 7.

Darnold has missed the last two games after suffering an AC joint sprain in his shoulder during the team’s 37-28 loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football a few weeks ago.

The decision to allow Darnold to finish the game after he was initially injured in the first quarter has been heavily criticized and it may have contributed to the young QB missing more time than he should have.

Either way, he’s set to return this week meaning that veteran Joe Flacco — who started the last two games in place of Darnold — will once again be relegated to a backup role.

The Jets are 0-8 without Darnold during his time with the organization, but given that the likes of Josh McCown, Trevor Siemian, Luke Falk, and Flacco started in his place, that’s not exactly surprising.

The NY Jets will also see the return of Mekhi Becton as well as Sam Darnold.

As for Becton, the star rookie hasn’t played a healthy game since Week 2 after injuring his shoulder in the first half of the team’s 36-7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts back in Week 3.

Much like with Darnold, the Jets have been criticized for their handling of Becton’s injury situation after they controversially made him an emergency option in Week 4. As fate would have it, Becton would be forced into the game just four plays in despite being in obvious pain.

Becton eventually removed himself from the game after playing 16 snaps. Gase and the Jets insist that his injury wasn’t aggravated by playing him, but considering he’s missed the last two weeks after being active for Thursday night, there’s certainly some skepticism.

Regardless, the Jets will surely be glad to have both Darnold and Becton return to the field this Sunday. And if all goes according to plan in practice, that’s exactly what will happen.