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Week 9 was just about as bad as could be for Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. The starting quarterback “is feared to have suffered a significant knee injury, potentially a torn ACL based on the initial tests” conducted during the 30-6 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
As Rapoport also noted, Jones will “have an MRI to learn the full picture.” The scan is “coming Monday,” according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
In the meantime, the Giants face an anxious wait before learning about the true status of their QB1.
Jones was playing in his first game back from a cervical neck injury suffered against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5. Yet, No. 8 lasted less than two quarters at Allegiant Stadium.
One more setback for Jones raises questions about the Giants deciding to hand him a contract worth $160 million in the offseason. The injury also puts a fresh perspective on general manager Joe Schoen’s recent trip to watch USC QB Caleb Williams take on Washington and dual-threat signal-caller Michael Penix Jr.
Scouting passers set to enter the 2024 NFL draft class has taken on greater importance. Especially since this season already looks lost with the Giants languishing at 2-7 and in prime position to own one of the top picks next April.
Giants’ Familiar Problems Doomed Daniel Jones
Jones hasn’t had his scan yet, but the sight of the 26-year-old moving “stiffly through the locker room postgame” has to worry the Giants. So should the player wearing an apparent “immobilizing brace,” according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, who also reported “Giants PR said Jones wasn’t available for questions.”
Not making Jones available to reporters was a smart move. He might have faced questions about the wisdom of the payday he received months ago.
The contract was always going to be a talking point after Jones got paid following a single, banner season in 2022. That breakout campaign was preceded by three seasons of indifferent or downright abysmal performances.
In fairness to Jones, not all of his struggles have been on him. Familiar Giants problems like a sieve-like offensive line have doomed Big Blue and their highly paid signal-caller.
So it proved, when Jones was hobbled after being sacked by Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby. The takedown was highlighted by Empire Sports Media’s Alex Wilson.
Taking hits has become the norm for Jones, who suffered 28 sacks before he was injured in Miami. Crosby getting to Jones so quickly showed little had changed in the besieged passer’s absence.
A lack of game-changing targets has also hampered Jones’ ability to make quicker reads and more decisive throws. He can question the front office after wide receiver Parris Campbell has flopped following his arrival from the Indianapolis Colts in free agency.
Schoen also traded for Pro-Bowl tight end Darren Waller, despite a lengthy injury history. The 31-year-old has since landed on injured reserve with a hamstring problem.
If Jones joins him, replacements like undrafted free agent Tommy DeVito will have to deal with the same problems the snakebitten starter faced.
Daniel Jones’ Replacements in For Tough Time
DeVito entered the fray when Jones left the field, but the rookie was soon under the same level of pressure. The Raiders finished with eight sacks, including this one when rookie Tyree Wilson and others converged on DeVito.
DeVito could be in for more of this punishment if Jones is sidelined for the season. Primary backup Tyrod Taylor is dealing with a rib injury, while Matt Barkley remains on the practice squad.
Barkley is well known to Giants’ head coach Brian Daboll after the two worked together with the Buffalo Bills. Familiarity with the playbook could give Barkley an inside track to the starting job, but the 33-year-old hasn’t started a game since 2018.
That could leave the Giants needing to lean on DeVito, at least for the next couple of weeks. The ex-Syracuse and Illinois star did throw his first NFL touchdown pass to Wan’Dale Robinson against the Raiders, capping a drive when he “went 5-of-5 passing for 69 yards,” per Raanan.
The situation is far from ideal, but the Giants will have to make do until they can get Jones fully healthy. Or until they draft his replacement.
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