EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has a sprained ankle and showed some signs of improvement Monday, coach Brian Daboll said.
Whether he can play against the Green Bay Packers in London on Sunday remains questionable.
“Daniel feels a little better today,” said Daboll. “We’ll just see how that goes.”
Daboll would not answer a question about whether Jones has a high ankle sprain. He did not want to give any further details.
Initial tests on Jones’ injured ankle were positive. There is no break. Jones was injured when his left foot caught on a sack under safe Jaquan Brisker in the third quarter of Sunday’s 20-12 win over the Chicago Bears.
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The Giants quarterback left the game but returned after backup Tyrod Taylor was knocked out with a concussion. Jones later admitted he was in pain and his ability to move was impaired.
Daboll said Monday that Taylor is on the concussion log and will also be monitored throughout the week.
Davis Webb would start against the Packers on Sunday when Jones and Taylor are unable to play. Webb is currently on the practice team.
“In terms of where we are now, I don’t think we’re at that point to make a decision,” Daboll said. “Let that thing play.”
Webb was the Giants’ third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent time with the New York Jets and was with Daboll in Buffalo before re-signing with the Giants this offseason.
Webb has never thrown a pass in an NFL game.
“I think you’re trying to plan every contingency plan that you may or may not have throughout the week. [Starting Webb] will certainly be one of them,” said Daboll. “Again, I don’t want to guess now on Monday where all the other guys will be. Davis has been on our offense for quite some time. He knows the ins and outs so if he has to play we will do everything we can and I know he will do it to be ready.”
The Giants planned to start coaching quarterbacks as another contingency earlier this week. They would need Webb backup if Jones and Taylor can’t play. Daboll wasn’t sure yet if they will add one to the squad.
Taylor left Sunday’s game after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit early in the fourth quarter while struggling for a first down. Daboll said the current climate following treatment of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s injury will not affect the team’s treatment of Taylor.
“I think we take every injury seriously here. We try everything we can to keep the player’s welfare in mind. We will always do that,” said Daboll.
Jones’ injured ankle could prove troubling in other ways. The Giants have relied heavily on his running skills this season. Jones rushed for two touchdowns before Sunday’s injury. He has 279 yards with 45 carries this year. His career high is 65 carries.
Jones has missed starts in each of his first three pro seasons. He missed two starts of his rookie season with a high ankle sprain.
“I’ll just take it every day and see how [Jones] is,” said Daboll. “If he can practice and go out there and do the things that we need him to do, great. If he needs a day, he needs a day. I think it’s on a case by case basis with all these guys. Obviously he played a lot of football. I trust him and where he is. I think we as coaches have to keep a close eye on him and evaluate him. To get all the information we need to make the best decision possible for him and the team.”