EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants anticipate Daniel Jones will return to being their starting quarterback once he finishes rehabilitating his surgically repaired right knee.
General manager Joe Schoen would not put a timetable on Jones' recovery from ACL surgery last week, but he noted Monday the 26-year-old was in the team facility, starting his rehab just five days after having the surgery.
Schoen said the Giants will have to consider taking a quarterback in next spring's draft or signing a free agent with veteran backup Tyrod Taylor's contract coming to an end. Current starter and undrafted rookie free agent Tommy DeVito also is under contract.
“He’s in there rehabbing right now. He’s going to attack it,” Schoen said of Jones in addressing reporters for the first time since training camp. "You guys all know Daniel and his work ethic; probably a guy we’re going to have to pull back. But the expectation is when Daniel’s healthy that he will be our starting quarterback.”
It's hard to say how long Jones' rehabilitation will take because the Giants have not discussed the injury other than to say it is an ACL injury. Running back Saquon Barkley tore an ACL early in the 2020 season, but he also injured other ligaments and he did not return to form until 2022, although he played in 2021.
“We don’t have a crystal ball in terms of how the rehab’s going to go,” Schoen said. “Different patients respond differently to these surgeries, and then whether there’s going to be swelling in the knee or any setbacks. Nobody has a crystal ball on this, but that’s the expectation moving forward.”
The Giants have a major investment in Jones, who was injured in the first half against Las Vegas on Nov. 5. Schoen signed him to a four-year, $160 million contract this past spring.
Taylor, who will be a free agent after this season, had started three games in October after Jones was sidelined by a neck injury.
The 34-year-old Taylor injured ribs against the Jets, and Jones returned for the Raiders, only to be injured again.
An undrafted rookie free agent, DeVito has started the past three games, leading New York (4-8) to wins in the past two.
Jones was a major player in the Giants' 9-7-1 record last season that got New York back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Duke product slipped this season, hitting 108 of 160 for 909 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions. He was also sacked 30 times playing behind an offensive line decimated by injuries.
“You guys all saw last season," Schoen said. "The guy won 10 games. He won a road playoff game for the Giants. You guys saw the preseason. I just think we got punched in the nose early on (this season) and we dug ourselves a hole and we weren’t able to get out of it. We’re trying to right now, but I still believe in Daniel and the person.”
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