Jones says neck injury caused discomfort in some positions

Published Dec. 22, 2021 3:53 p.m. ET

Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — While he wanted to play again this season, Daniel Jones said his sprained neck caused him discomfort in certain positions and made it impossible for him to play quarterback for the New York Giants.

Talking to reporters Wednesday for the first time since being placed on season-ending injured reserve, Jones felt he made progress in his third season but admitted the Giants (4-10) did not win enough games. He doesn't think the injury will affect his play next season, other than he may be more willing to get down sooner to avoid hits.

“These last few weeks have been tough. Obviously, you want to be out there,” Jones said. “You want to be playing. I was doing everything I could to give myself a chance to get back out there.”

Jones sidestepped a question about returning next season as a starter, saying his game needs to improve and the team needs to improve. The sixth pick overall has started since the third game of his rookie season in 2019.

Jones shed some light on his injury, which happened in a game on Nov. 28 against Philadelphia. He said he was sore and didn't have much range of motion after the game. The sprained neck was diagnosed over the next 24 hours.

“I think there’s some swelling there,” said Jones, who was seen by specialists on both coasts. “Yeah, with most injuries, you can have some kind of swelling around there. Yeah, it’s sad I’m just still having symptoms in certain positions.”

Jones practiced with the Giants on a limited basis over the past three weeks and lifted weights, but he was never cleared for contract by the medical personnel.

With Jones out, Mike Glennon has started the past three games. New York has lost all three and coach Joe Judge has to decide whether to give the 32-year-old veteran another start or to go with Jake Fromm. The second-year player got his first taste of regular-season action in a 21-6 loss to Dallas on Sunday and moved the team 84 yards on its final series before the drive stalled.

Jones said he will work with both quarterbacks this week to help the team get some wins in the final three games, starting in Philadelphia (7-7) on Sunday.

“I’ve spoken to Joe and we’ve had conversations about that,” Jones said of his future. “But like I said, I think there’s things that I need to improve on. There’s things he expects me to improve on. And, you know, I take that very seriously.”

Judge said he has seen improvement in Jones over the past two years and he likes his future. As far as this week, he wasn't ready to announce a starter.

Glennon struggled against the Cowboys, throwing three interceptions. He said he has not been told whether he will start, adding his preparation will not change and he will be ready to play. He said he needs to cut down on the mistakes.

Fromm, who started for three seasons at Georgia, said his goal is to get first downs and score points.

“I would say I’m very confident in myself and what I can do,” he said. “Winning football games is winning football games. Sometimes it may be pretty, it may not be, but at the end of the day, all that matter is a ‘W’ in the column. However we can do it, however it happens, let’s just go do it.”

Kenny Golladay ran a sideline go-pattern and caught a 36-yard pass from Fromm, his longest completion.

“I will say when he came in the huddle, he definitely controlled the huddle,” Golladay said. “I wasn’t surprised. I took reps with him in practice before. It was good to see, you know, what he showed on the practice field translated to the game.”

NOTES: The Giants held a walk-through on Wednesday and running back Gary Brightwell (neck) and guard Ben Bredeson (ankle) did not participate. ... Six players were limited: RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), DL Leonard Williams (triceps), FB Cullen Gillaspia (shin), DL Austin Johnson (foot), TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle) and T Andrew Thomas (ankle). ... Judge said rookie WR Kadarius Toney may come off the COVID-19 list this week.

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