Jones isn’t concerned about long-term problem with neck
If the timing worked out differently, Daniel Jones says there is a “good chance” he could have started for the Giants again this season.
And that confidence speaks volumes because it means the 24-year-old quarterback has no reason to think his season-ending sprained neck is a careerthreatening injury, after undergoing a litany of tests over the last four weeks.
“From all conversations with doctors and our medical staff here, going forward I think it’s something that’s going to heal,” Jones said in his first interview since he was ruled out for the final three games. “Unfortunately, I kind of ran out of time this season. That’s disappointing and frustrating, but it’s part of this game and something I’ve got to deal with. I don’t have any concerns long term.”
Jones was injured on a hit at the end of a run on the first drive against the Eagles on Nov. 28 but played the rest of the game. He missed the last three games because he was not cleared for contact and now will have missed 10 total in three years due to injuries suffered as a runner.
“After the game, it was pretty sore and I didn’t have a great range of motion,” Jones said. “I knew there was something up with my neck, and I think if it’s ever obvious to you something’s wrong with your neck, it’s probably smart to say something.”
The Giants likely will be officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday, but that’s just a formality in a lost season. If they were a threat to go deep in the playoffs, or if Jones were injured earlier in the season, maybe he wouldn’t be finished.
Jones called it a “huge relief ” that surgery is not required.
“If I got the OK from the doctors, I’d certainly be ready to play,” Jones said. “The deal is dayto-day in what I’m doing — throwing, running, lifting weights — I don’t have any issues. It’s certain positions and tests that doctors do and look for that are still problematic.”
Instead, Jones heads into the offseason with a 12-25 career record and only one game this season working with interim play-caller Freddie Kitchens, who took over for the fired Jason Garrett. The Giants move forward without clarity whether Jones can be a true franchise quarterback because the scheme and the abysmal offensive line could be blamed for two years of underperformance.
“We didn’t win enough games,” Jones said. “I think that’s the most important thing as I evaluate myself going forward. I do feel like I improved as a player. I think I’ve played well at times, and obviously not well enough plenty, too, because we didn’t play well enough.”
Head coach Joe Judge gave Jones a vote of confidence as next year’s quarterback, but a lot could change. Judge’s job is likely safe but a change at general manager is all but certain. The Giants face a risky decision by May whether to exercise Jones’ fifth-year option at a guaranteed $21.4 million for 2023, but they have him under contract at a reasonable $8.4 million cap hit (No. 24 among quarterbacks) for 2022 regardless.
“I’ve spoken to Joe and we’ve had conversations about that,” Jones said about receiving Judge’s support, “but … there’s things he expects me to improve on going forward. I understand that and obviously take that very seriously. That’s kind of my approach.”
Jones, who admitted to some “swelling” in the neck but said “range of motion is fine” now, had been a limited participant throwing passes in individual drills until he went on injured reserve. He stood idly on the field Wednesday without his typical red noncontact jersey.
“Initially when I got hurt, it was something I felt like I’d be able to get over fairly quickly,” Jones said. “It didn’t work out that way.”
Whenever Jones takes his next snap, he and the Giants need to know he can stay safe as a dualthreat runner.
“I don’t think it’ll dramatically change that,” Jones said. “That’s part of what our offense does. It’s part of what I feel like I can do. We’ve talked about being smart and going down earlier, protecting myself, protecting the ball. I think those are things I’ll continue to work on and certainly emphasized by this.”