Giants shut down QB Jones for season
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants are shutting down quarterback Daniel Jones for the remainder of the season because of a sprained neck.
Coach Joe Judge said Monday the team’s medical staff reviewed Jones’ medical scans over the past 24 hours and determined it would be best if he did not play in the team’s final three games.
The doctors have said Jones only needs rest at this point to get over the injury. Surgery is not an option at this point, Judge said, adding the injury is nothing more than a sprained neck. He said the team’s sole concern was Jones’ health.
“I’ve been adamant in saying that with all the information we’ve been given from the doctors involved and the medical team that there is no, at this moment, concern for a long-term injury,” Judge said.
“This is more of a precautionary measure to make sure it’s something that isn’t aggravated or agitated before it’s healed and it doesn’t turn into something as chronic or long term.“
Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in 2019, was hurt on Nov. 28 on a run in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. The injury was diagnosed after the game.
When the Giants were in California to play the Chargers on Dec. 12, Jones was examined by Dr. Robert Watkins of the Marina Spine Center at Marina Del Rey Hospital. He returned to New York City and was then seen by Dr. Frank Cammisa of Hospital for Special Surgery.
Ronnie Barnes, the Giants’ senior vice president of medical services, said Jones still has not been cleared for contact.
“We felt the prudent decision was to place Daniel on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. With continued rest and treatment, we expect a full recovery,” Barnes said.
Jones, who has practiced with the team on a limited basis since being hurt, was not made available for comment on Monday.
The Giants (4-10) will face the Eagles on Sunday in Philadelphia. Judge said either veteran Mike Glennon or Jake Fromm would start.
Glennon has started the past three games with Jones out. New York has lost all three, including a 21-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Fromm made his NFL regular-season debut on the Giants’ final series and moved the team 84 yards before the drive ended on downs at the Cowboys 9.
Jones finished the season 232 of 361 for 2,428 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 298 yards, although he sustained a concussion near the goal line on an attempt against Dallas on Oct. 10. He started the next game.
LT CHARGED
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor is facing felony charges in South Florida after failing to report an address change as required because of his status as a registered sex offender, authorities said.
Taylor, 62, was booked into the Broward County jail Thursday on two counts of failing to alert authorities to an address change, according to court records. He turned himself in after Pembroke Pines police informed him of an active warrant for his arrest. Taylor was released shortly after his booking on $500 bail.
Taylor spent his entire 13-season career with the New York Giants and helped the team win Super Bowl titles in 1987 and 1991.
Taylor’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, said in statement that Taylor has been compliant with all the rules and regulations regarding his legal status for the past decade.
“Sadly he is in the middle of a divorce and his local police department suggested it would be best if he slept at a nearby hotel,” Aidala said. “Mr. Taylor was constantly a resident of the marital home where he was registered, but on advice of local law enforcement he was sleeping outside the home. We are confident that this will be resolved favorably for Lawrence at the first court hearing.“
Taylor pleaded guilty in New York in 2011 to misdemeanor criminal charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute. He was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.