Aaron Donald will chase Sam Darnold across the field on Sunday, and the Jets are hoping to somehow keep the Los Angeles Rams defending star away from their quarterback as much as possible.
While the Jets have been asked all week if they are going up against the NFL’s pocket leader and the league’s No. 1 defense, here’s an example of “Donald on Darnold” from his Zoom call to the media on Thursday.
“Obviously they don’t play the way they want to play, but I think he’s a good quarterback,” said Donald. ‘He is really mobile. He can move, make things happen with his feet and get out of trouble. Looks like he’s strong. I’ve seen a few times that it looked like he was about to get fired, but he was able to break out and make something happen.
“He’s a solid quarterback, so we’ve studied that and understood that playing isn’t going to be easy. We have to earn them. We just have to do our job. He’s a good quarterback. They have some good players around him, young players. “
Darnold, who grew up in Southern California and played collegiate at USC, returned the compliments, even though his words were probably an understatement.
“Yes, Aaron Donald is a good player,” said Darnold. “He absolutely jumps on the tape, especially when there is a play to be made, he is always there to make it. So it will be fun to play against him. “
The Jets posted a defensive lineman Fatukasi Folorunso on the reserve / COVID-19 list due to close contact with someone outside the organization. Having to stay on the list for five days before he can return, he will miss Sunday’s game.
Adam Gase said it was “a really good opportunity” that sidelined linebacker Jordan Jenkins (shoulder) will have to undergo surgery. … Gase added that there is a “good chance” kicker Sam Ficken will be active, and “hopefully we get [running back La’Mical Perine] back for the last two games. “
Cornerback Bless Austin, who returned last week after missing four games with a neck injury, on whether the Jets’ 0-13 record was frustrating: “It’s been tough. To say ‘frustrating’, a lot of crazy things are happening in this world. I’m not going to be frustrating – that’s a pretty strong word – but it was hard to deal with the loss. “