New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones’ MRI showed thigh strain that, according to a source, will likely force him to miss out on some time.
The first-placed Giants (4-7) should know more later in the week when they get Jones moving. At the moment, trainer Joe Judge said there are more questions than answers and that they are in “wait mode” as there is naturally swelling and tension the day after an injury.
But there is at least optimism that Jones’ absence won’t be long-term. Tests on Monday ruled out a significant crack.
New York plays in Seattle on Sunday. It is highly unlikely that Jones is ready for this competition. The following weeks against Arizona or Cleveland are more realistic.
“I could not give you an answer whether it is just a week or more than a week,” said the judge on Monday afternoon during a Zoom call. “I’m not qualified and to be honest, the doctors I spoke to today don’t have that crystal ball either.”
Veteran Colt McCoy would start in Jones’ absence. Clayton Thorson is the only other quarterback on the Giants’ list. He is currently on the training team.
McCoy has done just enough in the last quarter and a half to allow the Giants to escape with a 19-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. He completed 6 of 10 passes for 31 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
The salvation with Jones may be – and every coach seems to say it about him – that he is really tough. At Duke, he had an operation on a broken collarbone, was back in training nine days later and played three weeks after the injury.
“I’ll say that, this is a tough guy. He’s a tough guy. A very competitive guy,” said the judge. “He wants to be out there, and if we gave him the option today, he’d jump out with tape on his leg and try to try.”
But the Giants need to make sure they don’t risk Jones playing on track with the team in the middle of a tight division race. The judge said it was imperative with Jones, as with all injured players, not to be brought onto the field at the risk of hurting it worse or suffering serious injuries. Also, he must be able to defend himself on the field at a level necessary to do his job effectively.
These will be the relevant questions at Jones this week and will evolve.
“Until we can answer those two questions with absolute certainty, we won’t have answers about what we’re going to do this week,” said Judge. “I know Daniel will do anything to get on the field, but sometimes as a coach you have to make a decision to maybe protect the player from yourself.”
Jones, 23, was injured while running in the third quarter of Sunday’s game. He tried to come back later in the game but only lasted two games. He couldn’t fall back and throw a throw.
“Yeah, I just felt it with this game and didn’t feel like I could really get on with it or do what I had to do to be effective and move the ball and throw it accurately,” said Jones who admittedly was unsure about the severity of the injury after the game. “Just look to rehabilitate it, do whatever I can to heal it asap.”
Jones was the sixth election in last year’s draft. He has completed 63.2% of his passes this season for 2,332 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.
But he may have been playing the best football of his young career before the injury. Jones had played three games in a row with no sales.
His absence, even for a game, could be costly to the Giants, who share a record with the Washington Football team. The Giants hold the tiebreaker after beating Washington both times this season.
McCoy, 34, has not won a start since the 2014 season.