According to an NFL Network report, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Joneswill miss his second consecutive game this season with a neck injury suffered in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. The report, co-authored by Tom Pelissero, Mike Garafolo, and Ian Rapoport, states that Jones isn’t expected to play against the Commanders but has “made positive strides this week” given his ability to participate in practice on a limited basis this past week. The published report further states that “as of Saturday afternoon, Jones still had not been cleared for contact,” and “even if he was, it’s rarely beneficial to have a QB play after being limited in practice during the week.” Jones, who has said his latest injury is not the same as the one that cost him the final six games in 2021, had been listed as questionable on New York’s injury report. However, his availability for this week’s game against the Washington Commanders was always a longshot, considering that he not only didn’t take any team reps in practice despite being cleared to do individual drills (unlike last week when he didn’t practice) but that he has yet to be cleared for contact by doctors. Jones has struggled this season after hearing a four-year, $160 million contract extension in which he looked like a quarterback who had finally found an offensive system in which he could thrive. Playing behind an injury-ravaged offensive line that has allowed 28 sacks against him in five games (second most in the league) and playing without star running back for multiple weeks, Jones has completed 68.9 percent of his pass attempts for 884 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. His 5.8 yards per pass attempt is currently the third-fewest in the league, and his 176.8 passing yards per game ranks 31st. Yet when it has come to the Commanders, Jones has thrived. He holds a 5-1-1 record against them and has never lost at home. With Jones sidelined, Tyrod Taylor will get his second start this season. Last week against the Bills, Taylor was 24 of 36 for 200 yards in what was a decent outing, minus his clock mismanagement at the end of the first half and the offense’s inability to score inside the red zone (zero for five) and in goal-to-go situations (zero for three). “He’s done this a long time. Made some good decisions,” head coach Brian Daboll said of Taylor’s performance last week. “I thought he did a lot of good things for us, and he’s had a good week this week.” Taylor will be backed up by Tommy DeVito, one of two practice squad elevations made by the team on Saturday. Jones will join left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring), center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), and offensive lineman Matt Peart (shoulder) on the inactive list this week. Thomas, Schmitz, and Peart were all declared out by the team on Friday.
