Jets QB Sam Darnold cleared to play, start vs. Cowboys

NEW YORK (AP) — Jets quarterback Sam Darnold has been cleared by doctors to play this week after he missed three games while recovering from mononucleosis.

Darnold had medical tests Tuesday to determine if the swelling in his spleen — a common symptom of the illness — had dissipated enough for him to play again.

The Jets announced in a Twitter post that Darnold will start Sunday at home against Dallas.

The team was optimistic last week that Darnold would be able to play at Philadelphia and gave him first-team snaps last Wednesday and Thursday. Tests last Thursday night revealed Darnold was not yet able to be fully cleared, and Luke Falk started his second straight game for New York.

Darnold was diagnosed with mono on Sept. 11, three days after the season-opening loss to Buffalo.