The New York Giants‘ concerns were validated on Monday morning by an MRI. Coach Brian Daboll stated that quarterback Daniel Jones will miss the rest of the season due to a ruptured ACL in his right knee.
“At this point, all I know is that he has an ACL tear,” Daboll stated. “Obviously surgery is going to occur but I have no idea when that will be.”
On Monday afternoon, the Giants (2-7) were still processing the news that their quarterback’s season had ended after just six games.
Andrew Thomas, a left tackle, described it as “devastating.” “A member of my team. a close buddy of mine. Such news is terrible to hear.”
Before rupturing the knee ligament on Sunday due to a noncontact injury, Jones missed three games due to a neck problem. The quarterback for the Giants, who inked a four-year, $160 million contract this offseason, has had a dismal season, and this further complicates both his and the team’s future.
In the Giants’ upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys, they will now start Matt Barkley or Tommy DeVito. When DeVito entered the game on Sunday in Las Vegas to replace Jones, Daboll refused to say whether or not he would start.
One week after passing for minus-1 yard in an overtime defeat to the New York Jets, DeVito finished 15-of-20 passing for 175 yards with a touchdown pass & two interceptions against the Raiders. Barkley is a member of the practice squad right now.
Daboll stated, “I think Tommy did a good job.” “But once more, it’s not going to be one thing and something else. Tommy is someone I trust. He performed admirably. However, I’ll have a conversation with Joe and see what comes next.”
Daboll also expressed uncertainty about backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s season-long absence due to a rib injury, placing him on injured reserve. Depending on how his ribs mend, yes.
Taylor’s earliest possible comeback date is early December, following the Giants’ bye week.
In six games this season, 26-year-old Jones threw two touchdown passes and six interceptions. He had two injuries to cope with, the second of which was a neck injury during his five seasons as a professional. Due to a cervical disc injury, he was also sidelined for the final six games of the 2021 season.
The starting quarterback for the Giants still has a $35.5 million guaranteed contract for the upcoming campaign. Only $23 million is guaranteed for injuries after that.
The Giants came into the season with high expectations. In an attempt to become a more potent offensive force, they added players for Jones, including tight end Darren Waller via trade and quick wide receiver Jalin Hyatt in the draft.
Instead, with their quarterback down, they rank bottom in the NFL in scoring per game (11.2) and are headed for a high pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Due to a noncontact knee injury, Jones left the game during the first half of Sunday’s 30–6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury most likely happened on the last play of the first quarter as he slipped into a sack.
In between quarters, Jones tested and worked on his right knee flexion. He fell to the ground unharmed on the opening play of the second quarter while making a dropback.
Regarding the last play of the first quarter, Daboll remarked, “He felt like he buckled.” “He was then rushing it off. When we approached and spoke with him, he answered, “No, I’m fine.” then returned, and it was clear that he wasn’t.”
We now face surgery and a long recovery ahead. Jones would be eligible to return to the field for training camp in August after completing the customary nine months of recovery.
By then, Taylor’s status as a free agent and the results of the draft could have changed, changing the makeup of the Giants’ quarterback position.
It is quite disheartening. “You never want to watch one of your teammates get hurt,” stated Darius Slayton, a wide receiver. “But for me personally, being here throughout my career with [Jones], sort of just the natural connection a quarterback & receiver have, definitely for me it’s a bit personal.”
Jones, a Duke graduate and the eighth overall choice in the 2019 NFL draft is a well-liked member of the team and a captain. After a productive first season under Daboll’s tutelage, working with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, he had high expectations for his future development.
For the first time since the 2011 campaign, the Giants qualified for the postseason and emerged victorious. Prior to the injury, it helped Jones secure a new contract and establish him as their franchise quarterback.