Luke

Falk

Falk started the last two weeks but wasn’t needed with Sam Darnold healthy. The Jets are likely hoping he clears waivers and reverts to the practice squad. David Fales will back up Darnold with Falk gone. Falk’s release opens a spot for LB Brandon Copeland to return from suspension.

New York’s o-line against Philadelphia’s front-seven was one of the most touted mismatches of Week 5 and it was transparent from the beginning as the Jets involuntarily pushed their scoreless streak to 39 consecutive possessions. Only when the Eagles fumbled a punt return inside their own 20 did the Jets pounce, handing a reverse to noted Eagles killer Vyncint Smith and watching him turn upfield for a 19-yard score. Sam Darnold can’t come back soon enough as all look in over their heads without the face of the franchise engineering under center. Robby Anderson (1/16) and Jamison Crowder (2/10) can continue to be avoided until Darnold returns.

The Jets were hoping to have Darnold back after their Week 4 bye, but unfortunately he’s not as far as along as the team had hoped. The announcement comes as a mild surprise after Darnold saw most of New York’s first-team practice reps this week. While the mono has mostly subsided, Darnold lost significant weight during his illness and is also at risk of injuring his spleen if he takes a big hit. The Eagles defense should be an appealing streamer against Luke Falk, who struggled mightily in his starting debut against the Patriots in Week 3 (98 yards, one interception on 12-for-22 passing).

Falk was dropped for five sacks, resulting in a loss of 29 yards. Making his first career start, the undrafted sophomore was predictably risk-averse, mostly settling for dump-offs and check-downs against New England’s vaunted secondary. He never came close to leading a touchdown drive and was picked off by Devin McCourty on a miscommunication with Jamison Crowder. The recent practice-squad call-up averaged a meager 4.5 yards per attempt on a day the Jets managed just six first downs. A game manager with poor mobility, Falk had no chance playing in a hostile road environment against one of the league’s toughest defenses. With Sam Darnold (mono) due back after the Jets’ upcoming bye, this could be the last time we see Falk under center for a while.

Trevor Siemian made the start in place of an ill Sam Darnold, but he lasted just over a quarter before suffering an ankle injury. Falk, just promoted from the practice squad, made his NFL debut after being a sixth-round pick in 2015. He knows coach Adam Gase’s offense, but Falk simply dinked and dunked down the field before picking up some chunk gains late when the Browns were playing prevent with a big lead. Falk is expected to start Week 3 against the Patriots in New England as it stands right now. Good luck.

The Titans drafted Falk in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He’s yet to throw a regular season pass. With Sam Darnold (mono) out this week and possibly weeks after that, Falk will back up Trevor Siemian.

Hyped as far as sixth-rounders go, Falk was waived by the Titans at final cuts last season before spending the year as a reserve in Miami. Falk is a camp arm who could perhaps make a dark horse run at a 53-man roster spot.

Falk wasn’t needed after Miami traded for Josh Rosen. He should draw interest on waivers.

Falk (6’4/215) walked on at Wazzu and went on to start 40 games, setting school records for career wins (27) and passing yards (14,496) and completing 68.3% of his throws with a 119:39 TD-to-INT ratio at 7.1 yards per attempt. Falk’s stock dipped as a senior as he was temporarily benched and set career-low efficiency marks. A sub-par athlete who took a whopping 107 sacks over his final three seasons, Falk’s strengths are his quick release and mastery of Mike Leach’s all-shotgun spread, but his arm strength is mediocre, and Falk attempted nearly three-quarters of his college passes within ten yards. Similar to A.J. McCarron, Falk is a probable long-term backup with an outside chance to become a low-end NFL starter.

The No. 199 overall pick of the draft, Falk had a rough preseason for the Titans. He was predictably prolific in Mike Leach’s Washington State offense but grew less efficient as time went on. He also had some injury issues and is not a good athlete. He probably won’t be long for the Dolphins, but his arrival means at least one of Brock Osweiler or David Fales will be sent packing.