New York Giants coach Joe Judge said Wednesday that Daniel Jones has “another lower leg injury” to his left leg in addition to his hamstring and that his status for Sunday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns is uncertain.
Jones missed the Week 13 game against the Seattle Seahawks after injuring his right hamstring in a Week 12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. His mobility was obviously limited in Sunday’s 26-76 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Jones completed 11 of 21 passes for 127 yards and fumbled three times.
Jones suffered six sacks in that game against Arizona, was noticeably hobbled by the fourth quarter and was replaced for the Giants’ final offensive series by backup quarterback Colt McCoy.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Jones’ second injury is a sprained left ankle that he suffered during the second quarter.
“I haven’t decided either way with Daniel,” Judge said when asked if Jones was locked in as this week’s starter.
“There’s really nothing worse for the wear with the previous injury. He did come out with some bumps and bruises, there’s another lower leg issue we’re dealing with right now.”
Judge said the Giants would move Jones around in Wednesday’s practice and “see where he’s at.”
“I’m going to give him an opportunity this week to work through practice and see how he moves and how he reacts to things,” Judge said. “If he can defend himself properly I’ve said before and obviously that’s I’ve handled it, if he’s not at risk beyond any normal game, then we’ll give him the opportunity to play. If we think that’s an issue that he can’t go out there and defend himself then we’ll make the best decision for him long-term and the team as well.”
Giants quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski had indicated on Tuesday that Jones’ health would have to be monitored the rest of the season, though he did not reveal the second injury.
Judge said Jones is “optimistic” about playing Sunday, but admitted that probably doesn’t mean much.
“If his left arm was attached by a rubber band he would tell us he could figure out a way to get it done,” Judge said.
Daniel Jones is practicing but does not look comfortable moving around. Colt McCoy took the first rep with the offense pic.twitter.com/wHGp8TbnQK
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) December 16, 2020
Giants injury report
Limited participation
QB Daniel Jones (hamstring/ankle)
G Kevin Zeitler (shoulder)
Did not practice
CB Darnay Holmes (knee)
Browns injury report
Full practice
WR Jarvis Landry (hip)
DE Myles Garrett (elbow)
Limited participation
T Jack Conklin (knee)
WR KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring)
TE Austin Hooper (neck)
CB Kevin Johnson (groin)
DT Larry Ogunjobi (toe)
C JC Tretter (knee)
CB M.J. Stewart Jr. (shoulder)
CB Denzel Ward (calf)
Did not participate
G Wyatt Teller (ankle)
S Andrew Sendejo (concussion)