The Giants’ worst fears were confirmed Monday when a MRI exam confirmed that Daniel Jones tore his ACL, Brain Daboll announced.
So, Jones has played his final snap of the season, and now the long-term focus shifts to whether or not he ever plays again for the Giants.
In the interim, however, the Giants have eight more games to play, including at least the next three without veteran backup Tyrod Taylor, who made three starts earlier this season when Jones was sidelined by a neck injury. Taylor (rib cage) is on injured reserve.
The Giants’ options right now are undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito or veteran journeyman Matt Barkley, who signed last week to the practice squad. DeVito has played the bulk of the last two games in relief of Taylor (in a 13-10 loss the Jets) and Jones (in Sunday’s 30-6 loss the Raiders).
Jones is in the first year of a four-year, $160 million contract that is guaranteed through next season. But if the Giants end up picking at the top of the 2024 draft – and there is little reason to expect much more than a 2-15 final record at this point – then the temptation will be real to draft either USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye as Jones’ successor.
It is no sure thing that Jones would be ready for Week 1 of next season, anyway, on a 10-month rehab from a torn ACL. His scrambling play style must be taken into account.
Jones initially was injured late in the first quarter Sunday, but tried to shake off the injury as he jogged on the sideline. As soon as he went back into the game, however, he collapsed as he tried to plant his leg. Both plays were non-contact injuries on a grass surface.
Jones was 1-5 as a starter and threw for two touchdowns with six interceptions in those six games.
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