New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones flew to Los Angeles on Monday alongside the team’s long-time head trainer Ronnie Barners.
Jones wasn’t there to beat his teammates ahead of a Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, but to meet with Dr. Robert Watkins for a second opinion on his neck.
The end result? Jones was not cleared for contact.
“He actually went to L.A. with Ronnie Barnes and saw a doctor up there. So, we’re on the west coast, there’s some doctors that are familiar with things with necks and that’s where they went,” head coach Joe Judge told reporters.
Jones rejoined his teammates and was a limited non-contact participant in practice on Wednesday and while Judge refused to rule him out for Sunday, it’s becoming more clear that this is a serious injury.
“In terms of the updates right now, he still hasn’t been cleared for contact,” Judge said. “He’ll continue to go through practice like he did last week. He’ll throw with the team. He’ll move. He’s in all of the meetings. We’ll see if anything changes in terms of his status, but he has not been cleared for contact.
“There’s not an immediate timeline. This could change quickly, it could change over time. Talking to the doctors and the medical team, there are some things that they’re just waiting on in terms of just making sure that he’s cleared for contact. When it comes to necks, backs, things of that nature, we’re not going to take any risks with our players.”
Pressed again about the significance of Jones’ injury and whether or not it’s season-ending, Judge expressed a mild optimism.
“There’s nothing at this point that we’ve been told that would indicate this would be season-ending,” Judge said. ” I’m optimistic. . . that he’s out here working with us, that’s a good sign.”
Judge admitted that being sidelined is not easy for Jones, but notes that he’s taken a team-first approach and has been helping the other quarterbacks.
When Jones returns is up in the air but it’s highly unlikely to be this weekend against Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
