ESPN: Giants most favorite QB set to resume training after long term injury.
NFL commentator and former player for the New York Giants, Tiki Barber, made a compelling argument earlier this month that starting quarterback Daniel Jones, who had a torn ACL last season, shouldn’t put his health at danger by participating in preseason games.
Barber’s assessment is not shared by Jones or the Giants, as the 27-year-old will play in his first game back on Saturday against the Houston Texans in an exhibition.
Regarding his plans to watch a live defense on Saturday afternoon, Jones stated on Thursday, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, “I don’t think I’ll be thinking about my knee much.” I believe I have tested it. I feel it’s in a good spot because I’ve tested it in practice, rehab, and workouts. I’m sure my knee will be prepared to go, so yeah. I won’t be thinking about it all that much.
It makes sense that Jones wants to get his bearings before New York plays its regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8. He missed time last fall because of his second concerning neck ailment in three years, which ended his campaign. It stands to reason that playing against a pass rush and seeing coverages in a live environment will better prepare him for a Minnesota squad that has more work ahead of it with the departure of experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins as a free agent to join the Atlanta Falcons.
But as ESPN’s Jordan Raanan explained in a piece that was released on Friday, there are still many more doubts than answers regarding the viability of efforts to repair New York’s appalling offensive line. That unit will be used at Houston’s NRG Stadium, but it could certainly use additional practice reps before it’s put in charge of protecting any quarterback.
Jones laughed and said, “Yeah, I’m certainly not trying to get hit,” on Thursday.
It is not amusing that Jones’s future with the Giants is questionable. The organization can avoid the QB’s deal early in 2019 because Big Blue general manager Joe Schoen was known to have looked into choosing Jones’ eventual replacement this past April.
To put it briefly, Jones must demonstrate that he can play at a high level, maintain his health, and lead the Giants to victories in order to be retained by the team this time next year.
