Giants HC shares injury update on QB Daniel Jones

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll shared what could be considered both a promising and worrisome update regarding the neck injury that kept quarterback Daniel Jones out of this past Sunday's 14-9 loss at the Buffalo Bills.

"He’s cleared to throw, so that’s what he’s going to do today — is throw," Daboll said about Jones while speaking with reporters on Wednesday, per Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "Whenever the doctors tell me he’s cleared [for contact], right now he’s able to throw. So that’s what we’re going to do."

Jones missed the final six games of the 2021 season when he was not medically cleared to play while dealing with a neck issue that left him needing what was eventually called a "non-football-related procedure." The 26-year-old said last week that his current injury is "different than what I’ve dealt with in the past," but he acknowledged Tuesday that he is "still dealing with some of those symptoms from" the setback he suffered during the Week 5 loss at the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 8.

"I think he gets evaluated pretty much every day [by the Giants’ medical staff]," Daboll said about Jones. "So when they tell me he’s cleared, that’s when he’ll be cleared." 

According to SNY, Daboll added that Jones' season is "not over," and the coach also confirmed the fifth-year pro will return to the lineup as the team's starting quarterback once he's cleared. 

Backup Tyrod Taylor completed 24-of-36 pass attempts for 200 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against Buffalo and presumably will start this coming Sunday's home game against the 3-3 Washington Commanders if Jones can't go. 

The Giants enter Week 7 at 1-5 but nevertheless need Jones healthy and back on the field for multiple reasons. Big Blue theoretically can escape Jones' four-year contract as soon as after the 2024 season and, thus, likely wants every opportunity to evaluate the 2019 first-round draft pick before Daboll and company may need to have some important conversations about the team's quarterback situation ahead of next year's draft.