Giants’ Jones says hamstring is better

While saying his injured right hamstring was feeling better, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones scrambled when asked whether he would be able to play Sunday against Arizona.

New York head coach Joe Judge said he was optimistic Jones would be able to return after missing last Sunday’s game in Seattle. The rookie head coach later tempered his comments, saying Jones has to show he can protect himself before he will be allowed to play against the Cardinals.

Jones practiced on a limited basis Wednesday as the Giants ( 57) held a walkthrough workout to start preparations for the Cardinals ( 66). Jones said he has tested his hamstring in some drills with trainers, and his job for the rest of the week is doing everything he can to get ready.

The game has playoff implications for both New York and Arizona. The Giants have won four in a row and are in first place in the NFC East, based on a tiebreaker with Washington ( 57). The Cardinals have lost three straight and are just outside a playoff spot.

Briefly: A new thigh injury could put running back Christian McCaffrey’s return to the field on hold for the Panthers. Head coach Matt Rhule said the Stanford alum tweaked his thigh last week during private workouts and it resurfaced Wednesday. ... The NFL suspended Denver cornerback A. J. Bouye six games without pay for violating the league’s policy on performanceenhancing substances. ... Jets rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims is dealing with what head coach Adam Gase called “a personal issue” and could miss Sunday’s game at Seattle. ... The Titans placed firstround pick Isaiah Wilson on the reserve/ nonfootball illness list, citing personal issues, days after suspending the offensive lineman for a game.