Sam Darnold, Adam Gase hoping QB will practice Wednesday, play vs. Dolphins
Sam Darnold is getting closer to returning from a shoulder injury that has plagued him for the better part of the season. Adam Gase said Monday that he hopes that the young signal caller will be able to practice Wednesday with an eye on facing the Dolphins on Sunday.
“It’s going to be more about where his pain tolerance is,” Gase said. “Throwing the ball… he feels pretty good about that. It’s going to be more about when he gets hit and driven into the turf… and how his shoulder is going to react to that.”
Darnold has missed the past two games — and four total this year — due to a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder suffered in a Week 4 loss to the Broncos nearly two months ago. He aggravated the injury more than three weeks ago on a fourth-quarter scramble during a blowout loss to the Chiefs.
Although Darnold said Monday that he feels good throwing the ball, his true test will be how his shoulder holds up to contact.
“It’s about getting hit and how it’s going to respond to that,” Darnold said.
Darnold doesn’t believe that there’s a chance of long-term damage if he aggravates the injury again, but the hope is obviously to get out of the game without any issues.
INJURY, ROSTER, COVID UPDATES
Rookie running back La’Mical Perine is expected to miss at least a couple weeks with a high-ankle sprain suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Chargers. Perine has played second fiddle to 37-year-old Frank Gore all season anyway for reasons unknown. Expect Ty Johnson to play the role of Robin as Gore continues to be the featured back.
Starting right tackle George Fant suffered knee and ankle sprains. Backup Chuma Edoga also suffered a low-ankle sprain.
QB Mike White was cut. Tight end Ross Travis was restored to the practice squad after getting removed from the COVID-19 list.