Giants' Daniel Jones shares big hint about neck injury

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones hasn't been cleared for contact since he suffered a neck injury in Week 5 back on Oct. 8 and seems no closer to facing a live defense than he was ahead of this past weekend. 

“Doing everything I can to get back out there," Jones said about his status during a Tuesday appearance on the FanDuelTV "Up and Adams" program, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "Feeling good. Just trying to do everything the doctors and trainers tell me to do. I’m feeling better. I’m able to do everything I need to do from a running, throwing, lifting standpoint. It’s mostly a contact thing, like I’ve said, proving that I can handle that."

Schwartz noted last week the Giants likely won't clear Jones until all symptoms related to his latest setback "are completely gone." The 26-year-old missed the final six games of the 2021 campaign because of what he says was a different type of neck injury, one that left him needing an offseason procedure. 

Backup Tyrod Taylor thus far has gone 1-1 as New York's starter in Jones' place and most recently completed 18-of-29 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns in this past Sunday's 14-7 home win over the Washington Commanders. Taylor will start for the 2-5 Giants versus the 3-3 New York Jets this coming Sunday if Jones can't go. 

"It’s passing some of those tests and showing the doctors and trainers what I need to show 'em for them to feel good about me being out there," Jones added. "It’s following their protocols and their plan, their treatment, their rehab stuff and showing that I’m ready to go. Still working through it and got to continue to improve. Yeah, the goal is to play on Sunday and be out there with the guys."

Conversations about whether or not the Giants could have a quarterback controversy on their hands this fall are downright silly until Jones receives medical clearance to take hits from opposing defenders. At this point, it's fair to speculate if Jones' neck rather than his play could ultimately prevent him from being the Giants' long-term answer at the sport's most important position.