Sam Darnold optimistic about returning after Jets' bye week but has obstacle to overcome

Sam Darnold underwent tests Monday and has been cleared to do some light cardio this week. But there is still a big test before the Jets quarterback gets clearance to play football again after being diagnosed with mono.

Darnold said his enlarged spleen has shrunk a little bit, but it needs to get smaller. He will be tested again next Monday.

“My spleen right now isn’t where it needs to be in terms of coming back full go,” Darnold said on a conference call Monday afternoon. “It did go down a little bit. The size of it did shrink a little bit. So now I’m able to some light cardio. Hopefully throughout this week it gets a little bit lower.”

Darnold said he still hasn’t been cleared to throw a…