Giants QB Daniel Jones admits he’s limited to playing from the pocket

Daniel Jones is healthy enough to play, but the New York Giants quarterback admitted on Wednesday that his hamstring and ankle injuries have turned the normally mobile Jones into a pocket passer.

“I think you can tell from the tape that I’m not able to do a lot of the things I’m used to doing,” he said.

Jones injured his right hamstring Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He did not finish that game, then sat out Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks. Jones played Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals, but was obviously limited and suffered a left ankle sprain that kept him out Week 15 vs. the Cleveland Browns.

At the time Jones was injured he was the Giants leading rusher. Both the zone read and Jones’ ability to scramble from the pocket when things broke down had become big parts of the Giants’ offense. Against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, Jones moved better but scrambled just once for 3 yards. That was his only rushing attempt since he suffered the hamstring injury.

“I’ve played from the pocket the past couple weeks and i expect to continue to do that until I’m healthy,” Jones said. “I expect the game plan and what I’m asked to do to be fairly similar to what it’s been these past few weeks.”

Jones’ absence from the lineup and his inability to run when he has been in it have impacted the Giants’ offense. New York hasn’t scored 20 points in any of the five games since Jones was injured.

“We’ve got a lot of ways to run the ball,” Jones said. “We’ve got really good runners and guys we can get into space and make plays. We’ll continue to do that, get the ball to those guys. I’m not sure it limits us a whole lot.”

We will find out Sunday whether Jones was being completely honest here, or if he’s trying to mess with the Cowboys a bit. It has been apparent, though, that the Giants are limited offensively when Jones can’t make plays with his legs.

Other injuries

Wide receiver Golden Tate (calf) did not practice for the Giants. The veteran wide receiver also missed last Sunday’s game.

Coach Joe Judge said the Giants were “optimistic” about Tate’s chances of playing Sunday.

“I want to be fair to him and make sure he gets the opportunity to get out there and show us if he can get out there on the field, stay on the field and be productive for us,” Judge said. “Look, this guy’s done a good job for us, he’s been really fun to coach, so obviously we want all of our guys out there healthy.”

The Giants designated cornerback Madre Harper for return from injured reserve.

Giants injury report

Did not practice

FB Elijhaa Penny (illness)
WR Golden Tate (calf)

Limited participation

TE Evan Engram (calf)
S Jabrill Peppers (ankle)
WR Sterling Shepard (rib)

Full

QB Daniel Jones (hamstring)
CB Darnay Holmes (knee)

Cowboys injury report

Did not participate

CB Rashard Robinson (knee)
S Darian Thompson (concussion)
LB Leighton Vander Esch (ankle)
S Donovan Wilson (illness)

Limited participation

CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring/goin)
S Xavier Woods (ribs)