EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is feeling better a day after being forced to leave a game with a neck injury and coach Brian Daboll is optimistic he will be able to play against the Bills in Buffalo.

Jones was hurt early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 31-16 loss to the Dolphins in Miami. He had X-rays after the game and he had an additional test on Monday. Daboll said he did not have those results.

“I guess I’d say we’re optimistic,'” Daboll said Monday. “He’s feeling better today, so I think he’s moving in the right direction. Let’s see where he is when he comes back on Wednesday, but doesn’t feel terrible today.”

Backup Tyrod Taylor played the final 12 minutes. There was a point late when he had the wind knocked out of him at the end of a run.

Daboll said receiver Parris Campbell can play quarterback and the team has a player who can run in the wildcat formation, but Taylor finished the game.

Jones has been sacked 16 times in the past two games. He left the game after being sacked on a blindside hit by Andrew Van Ginkel.

“Daniel was a very tough competitor and he took some shots,” Daboll said.

Jones missed the final six games of the 2021 season with a neck injury.

In other injury news, Daboll said star running back Saquon Barkley is closer to returning than left tackle Andrew Thomas, who has missed the past four games with a hamstring injury. Barkley has missed the past three with a sprained right ankle.

Daboll is optimistic right guard Marcus McKethan may return this week after leaving Sunday's game with a knee injury.

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