EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Possibly Daniel Jones was side-stepping the questions.
Or possibly the New York Giants’ franchise quarterback actually didn’t have readability on their solutions.
Wednesday after Giants follow, Jones fielded a sequence of questions concerning the ACL he tore three days prior; his future with the franchise who gave him a $160 million contract final spring; and the prognostication for when and the place he’ll return to soccer.
Jones shed little perception.
As a result of for the quarterback whom the Giants chosen with the sixth total choose in 2019, proper now, so little is thought.
Jones doesn’t know when he’ll have surgical procedure to restore his ACL, the process timeline hinging on when swelling in his knee goes down and vary of movement returns.
Jones didn’t compellingly assert that the 2-7 Giants, who’re on observe for a excessive draft choose in a quarterback-loaded class headlined by Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, verbally dedicated to his long-term future. New York prolonged him in March however basically structured an exit two seasons into the deal after they assured $81 million of the $160 million counter value. After 2024, none of Jones’ wage is assured.
Did head coach Brian Daboll inform Jones he has a future in New York as soon as wholesome?
“The conversations I’ve had with [Daboll] have been principally nearly this harm and therapeutic up and staying upbeat, staying optimistic,” Jones mentioned. “I will do every part I can to assist this staff out and ensure we end sturdy.”
And on that be aware of serving to the Giants out – when would possibly Jones once more have the ability to assist them from the sector quite than the sideline?
The quarterback acknowledged that ACL recoveries are “considerably of a protracted course of” and require endurance. So he’ll focus extra on the order of the steps than their length. Jones declined to substantiate whether or not he’s anticipated to be prepared for Week 1 of the 2024 season.
“I will assault it daily and attempt to take all of the steps I have to within the applicable period of time to be again as quickly as I can whereas additionally understanding that it’s a course of and I have to be affected person,” Jones mentioned. “When that precisely is, I’m unsure but.”
So for now, the Giants are rolling with an undrafted rookie.
How Giants landed on undrafted rookie QB beginning
Wednesday, the Giants promoted veteran journeyman Matt Barkley from the follow squad to the lively squad. The staff signed quarterback Jacob Eason to the follow squad. And Daboll confirmed undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito will begin Sunday in a division sport on the Dallas Cowboys.
DeVito, who spent 4 seasons at Syracuse earlier than beginning in 2022 at Illinois, is aware of how wild that is. He’s performed two video games in aid this 12 months. However NFL historical past doesn’t predict undrafted rookie quarterbacks are more likely to begin. DeVito addressed reporters Wednesday from his makeshift locker within the follow squad cluster within the heart of the locker room, joking he’d “follow my roots” quite than improve to a everlasting locker alongside the wall. Had somebody informed DeVito earlier than the season that he’d be named starter by November, he’d have thought: “Some unhealthy issues most likely needed to occur.”
DeVito’s first NFL motion got here Oct. 29 in a sputtering sport between the Giants and New York Jets, after quarterback Tyrod Taylor sustained a rib cage harm. DeVito accomplished two of seven makes an attempt for a web lack of 1 yard. He rushed 4 occasions for 12 yards and a landing.
Jones returned from a neck harm to start out final Sunday, seemingly indicating the return of stability for New York behind heart. However on the ultimate play of the primary quarter, Jones tried to chop, then felt his knee shift and buckle. He tried to maintain enjoying however his knee gave out on his subsequent drop again earlier than he may launch a cross.
DeVito was thrust into motion and performed three full possessions earlier than halftime. The primary was a three-and-out. The following two resulted in interceptions. DeVito and teammates discovered extra rhythm within the third quarter, together with on an 11-play, 84-yard landing drive that DeVito capped by rolling to his proper and discovering Wan’Dale Robinson within the again proper nook of the tip zone for a 9-yard landing.
In all, he accomplished 15 of 20 makes an attempt for 175 yards and a passer score of 78.1 in opposition to the Raiders, whose protection ranks twentieth in defensive DVOA.
This week, DeVito will face the Cowboys, whose protection ranks fourth in DVOA.
How Tommy DeVito is getting ready for Cowboys-Giants
Tuesdays are usually NFL gamers’ time off every week.
DeVito spent Tuesday on the Giants facility in preparation for his debut professional begin.
“Simply watching movie, selecting their brains, them selecting my mind on what I like, what I don’t like and what they see,” DeVito mentioned. “Simply getting on the identical web page as a result of we haven’t essentially had these conferences to construct the sport plan round me and the gamers which might be on this staff with me in it.”
DeVito mentioned Wednesday was his first likelihood to throw to receivers like Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and Paris Campbell with extra intentionality and communication.
“While you’re within the sport, it’s type of similar to, ‘Determine it out,’” DeVito mentioned. “You don’t have any type of rapport with them.”
By Sunday, after walkthroughs and practices, he could not have a lot however he’ll at the least have extra.
Jones continued to hitch conferences this week, guiding DeVito in movie classes on what to search for, what defenses are doing and the best way to run the performs that he has much less expertise working. DeVito will draw upon the 39 school video games he performed in, the 594 passes he tried (he accomplished 63.1%) whereas throwing 43 touchdowns to 16 interceptions.
DeVito can really feel feelings rising in Cedar Grove, N.J., the 4.5-square-mile city the place he grew up and once more lives whereas enjoying for the Giants. As he went out for pizza this week, city residents congratulated him.
However when DeVito takes the sector in opposition to the Cowboys, he’ll goal to reduce emotion and dial into his subsequent play, subsequent learn and subsequent project. The good thing about first-team reps doesn’t assuage oddsmakers. BetMGM lists the Giants as 16.5-point underdogs on per week when no different unfold exceeds 7.5 factors. DeVito says he’ll fall again on a mantra from his Syracuse days.
“Rule No. 1: Don’t panic,” DeVito mentioned. “Do not ask for Rule No. 2 as a result of in the event you ask what rule No. 2 is, you did not hearken to Rule No. 1.”