Sam Darnold practicing with NY Jets first team, will he start the second preseason game?

Andy Vasquez | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Jets QB Sam Darnold talks about his professional debut Jets QB Sam Darnold and coach Todd Bowles react to his Darnold's first preseason game with the Jets, on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at MetLife Stadium.

RICHMOND, Va. — Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold impressed in his preseason debut on Friday night.

And it looks like he’s going to get the chance to show off even more of what he can in preseason game No. 2.

Jets coach Todd Bowles was typically cryptic about his quarterback plans for Thursday’s game against the Redskins. But it’s starting to look like Darnold could get his first preseason start at FedEx Field. It would be the latest step in Darnold’s progression, and a true opportunity for Darnold to potentially grab an edge in the three-way competition between him, Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater.

Bowles has gone out of his way to not reveal his quarterback plan until his players run out onto the field. But what happened in Sunday’s practice sure made it look like Darnold might be the starter for the next preseason game.

The numbers

Sunday’s joint practice was shortened by rain, so there were fewer 11-on-11 team drill reps than normal. But Darnold got the vast majority of the reps in practice, and most of those reps were with the first team.

Darnold took 18 snaps, 12 of them with the first-team offensive line, completing 6 of 9 passes. His final four snaps came in the torrential downpour that eventually brought practice to its premature end.

McCown took only seven snaps, all of them with the starting offensive line. He completed 2 of 4 passes and threw his first interception of training camp, which was brought in by Washington CB D.J. Swearing.

Bridgewater was also limited, taking only eight snaps and completing 2 of 3 passes.

Why first-team reps are important

Both Bridgewater and McCown worked with the first-team offense for a series in Friday night’s preseason opener. And if Darnold is going to have a legitimate shot to win this job, the Jets are going to need to see what Darnold can do with the best team’s best offensive players.

Sunday was a step in the right direction.

“It just gets me more comfortable with those guys,” Darnold said of the first-team reps. "And I think they get more comfortable with me and the way that I like to play."

Will Darnold start Thursday?

We don’t know for sure. Bowles is not easy to read. But he should start.

Playing with the best players gives Darnold the best chance for success, and it also helps the Jets coaches get a true read of what he can do. Darnold showed more than enough potential over the first two weeks of camp and in the preseason opener to earn a shot in the first preseason game.

Injuries

RB Isaiah Crowell sustained a concussion on Friday night and did not make the trip to Richmond with the JEts. OT Kelvin Beachum (foot), DT Steve McLendon (leg) also stayed behind. … TE Chris Herndon, who missed Friday’s game because of “bruises” was on the field in pads and a helmet, but didn’t practice. … OLB Lorenzo Mauldin (leg) did not practice and didn’t appear to be at the practice.

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