Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is prepared to take on the Texans.
AP/EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY Daniel Jones, the quarterback for the New York Giants, is cleared to play in his first game since suffering a serious injury to his right knee in early November, on Saturday against the Houston Texans.
After undergoing surgery around Thanksgiving to repair the ACL he suffered on November 5 during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Jones has been recovering from the injury for the last eight months.
The 27-year-old’s experience went incredibly well; he participated in team-organized events and a required minicamp in the spring and has been taking first-team repetitions ever since training camp began on July 24.
The No. 6 overall choice in the 2019 first round of the NFL draft did not participate in the preseason game against the Detroit Lions, but he is excited about the trip to Houston.
“It is thrilling,” Jones remarked on Thursday following the Giants’ last practice of the week. “I will be thrilled to be playing in front of an audience again, simply going through the pregame and game routine. All of it, in my opinion, is thrilling.
Many athletes who are recovering from injuries are always watching to see how they handle their initial blow. Jones is not concerned about his knee, even if he would like not take a hit while playing without his protective red non-contact jersey for the first time.
“I believe I have tried it,” he remarked. “I feel like it is in a good spot since I have tried it in practice, in my rehab, and during my exercises. So, yes, I am sure my knee will be prepared.
Jones stated that he is not worried about his neck either. He injured it during a match versus Miami the previous season, which caused him to miss three games. In the six games that he played, he completed 108 of 160 passes for 909 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. New York concluded with a 6-11 record.
The underwhelming campaign followed a career year for Jones in 2022, which helped the Giants earn their first postseason trip since 2016. A $160 million, four-year deal was offered to him.
Jones has looked good at times in camp and he has regained his ability to run. His consistency has been off at times, but there have been some long exciting plays with throws to first-round draft pick Malik Nabers and second-year pro Jalin Hyatt.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said he wants to see Jones get a feel for working with the offense under game conditions.
“He’s played a lot of football,” Kafka said. “He’s a veteran guy, so it’s nothing about that part of it. It’s more just the group, our offense kind of getting together and working together, communicating all the things that we’ve been stressing all offseason.”
Jones has no idea how long he will play, saying that’s up to coach Brian Daboll. He also had no idea how long he will stick with his new beard.
“I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the beard. It’s not a new me, but we’ll see,” he said.
The Giants’ quarterback situation is uncertain this week. Backup Drew Lock hurt his hip in the first quarter against Detroit and Tommy DeVito played the final three quarters. Lock didn’t take any snaps in practice this week so the bulk of the work will go to DeVito again.
Tight end Tyree Jackson was supposed to be the emergency quarterback. The former college quarterback at Buffalo left the field after hurting his left foot making a catch in practice.
New York made a couple of roster moves Thursday. The Giants terminated the contract of defensive back Jalen Mills after he failed his physical. He has been on the non-football injury list since camp opened. The Giants signed running back Josh Kelley and safeties Jonathan Sutherland and Raheem Layne.
In another move, Dallas acquired veteran defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and a seventh-round draft pick in 2026 from the Giants for a sixth-round pick in 2026.
