New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones underwent a successful ACL repair just prior to Thanksgiving and his goal it return in time for training camp.
That timeline may seem a bit pie in the sky, but Jones revealed on Wednesday that his injury was a clean ACL tear and nothing more. He suffered no damage to his MCL, PCL, or meniscus.
“The surgery is easier and the recovery is a lot easier without the other injuries,” Jones said, via the New York Post.
Because Jones suffered no additional ligament or cartilage damage, it may be possible for him to return earlier than initially expected. Many set the timeline around Week 1 or deeper into the season but with no additional injuries to overcome, the eighth-month mark may be realistic.
“(The goal) is definitely the goal to be back by training camp,” he said.
Although the surgery was clean and he avoided further damage, Jones knows a lot can change between now and the start of camp.
“Doing everything I can to check all the boxes and go through it as thoroughly and as well as I can,” he said. “It’s a long road ahead. I think it depends on how I do with each stage of it and how it progresses. I’m going to try to focus on what’s right in front of me.”
Jones has already returned to team facilities, where he was fitted for a knee brace and has dove head-first into his rehab. He’s focused on controlling what he can control as opposed to worrying about his starting spot in 2024.
“Yeah, I do,” he said when asked if he views himself as the long-term answer at quarterback. “But I’m focused on what I’m doing right now — rehabbing and getting back on the field.”
If the Giants believe Jones is capable of returning in time for training camp, that may alter their approach to the 2024 NFL draft. General manager Joe Schoen acknowledges they’ll need to address depth at the quarterback position anyway, but may opt against using a first-round pick on a QB.
