One of the Giants’ quarterbacks’ situation has been clarified, while another’s is currently questionable.
Late Monday morning, head coach Brian Daboll informed reporters that Daniel Jones had been formally cleared for contact by team doctors. The exam was conducted prior to yesterday’s game against the Jets, and the starting quarterback will train completely on Wednesday when the Giants begin preparations for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“He met with the doctor prior to the game and completed his exams. He did it on Friday the previous week, so he took his tests, and they told me he’d be ready to leave the following week,” Daboll recalled.
Jones has been out for three weeks owing to a neck injury sustained during the fourth quarter of
Despite returning to practice as a limited participant over the last two weeks, Jones was inactive, with backup Tyrod Taylor starting in his place.
Taylor, the veteran quarterback, left Sunday’s game early in the second quarter due to an injury. Following the game, the Giants stated that Taylor was brought to Hackensack University Medical Center for further inspection and testing, when it was discovered that he had sustained rib cage injuries. Taylor spent the night in HUMC for observation. He was released from HUMC early on Monday afternoon.
“He’s got ribs,” Daboll stated this morning. “I’m not going to discuss what they are. He’s somewhat sore right now.
With Jones and Taylor out yesterday, the Giants went to Tommy DeVito. The undrafted rookie quarterback finished the game 2 of 7 throwing for minus-1 yard, with four rushes for 12 yards and his first NFL touchdown. DeVito was also sacked twice for a combined nine yards.
“I saw a quarterback who has developed, and I just saw the leadership he had coming up to us after that big score that we needed to come out of the half,” center John Michael Schmitz said about DeVito’s NFL debut. “I saw him take charge. So, yes, I was proud of him.”
Coming out of halftime, it was evident that the Giants’ offensive strategy focused on the run game. Saquon Barkley carried the ball 25 times in the second half, totaling a career-high 36 rush attempts.
Because of the emphasis on the rushing approach once the offense was down to its third-string quarterback, the Giants finished with minus-9 net passing yards, the lowest in franchise history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Daboll would not rule out the prospect of the Giants adding another quarterback with Taylor’s status in doubt.
“I’m going to go back up there and meet with (Senior Vice President/General Manager) Joe (Schoen) here, so we’ll talk about that,” the head coach was quoted as saying. “It’s definitely a possibility.”
Coach Brian Daboll provides updates on Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor’s status. *Schmitz returned to the field on Sunday after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the Week 4 game against the Seattle Seahawks. With the rookie’s return, veteran Ben Bredeson, who had started at center while Schmitz was out, was moved back to left guard. While it was the Giants’ sixth different starting offensive line combination this season, the group has shown some improvement in recent weeks.
“Honestly, I just saw the growth,” Schmitz said of the change in the line since he last played. “Especially in the last few weeks, I’ve seen the progress of the offensive line and simply the camaraderie coming together, with people being much more engaged and locked in. I would just state the intention to detail each and every week, coming in with the mindset that we can accomplish it.”
Justin Pugh, a veteran, has helped the unit progress. Pugh started each of the Giants’ final three games, one at left guard and the other two at left tackle. When Joshua Ezeudu went down with a toe injury in Week 6, he was moved to left tackle.
The rookie center lauded the 33-year-old lineman for everything he has contributed to the team since joining the practice squad on October 3.
“He’s been a tremendous addition to the room,” Schmitz added. “Not only has he helped us out by being in the league for so long, but he also has his rituals for the week. If it’s only a little advice, it doesn’t even need to
The Giants are hoping to have additional reinforcements back for this week’s game in Las Vegas. Andrew Thomas, an All-Pro left tackle, has been sidelined since he injured his hamstring in the season opener. Thomas returned to practice as a limited participant last week, completing three straight practices for the first time since Week 1.
Following his absence from the previous two games, right tackle Evan Neal was a limited participant in practice each day last week. Daboll said the team will get a better feel of both linemen’s possible returns on Wednesday when they practice.
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