The New York Giants will be facing the Buffalo Bills without their starting quarterback, Daniel Jones. Coach Brian Daboll confirmed that Jones will not be playing due to a neck injury sustained in a previous game against the Miami Dolphins. This injury occurred when Jones was sacked for the sixth time, resulting in his neck snapping back violently. Despite his recovery progress, Daboll determined that Jones is not yet fit to play in the upcoming game.
Tyrod Taylor to Start
With Jones sidelined, Tyrod Taylor will step in as the starting quarterback for the Giants. Taylor has been taking the first-team reps at practice in preparation for the game against his former team, the Bills. It remains uncertain whether star running back Saquon Barkley will be available for the game, as Daboll mentioned that he is “closer” to a return compared to previous weeks. Barkley has been limited in practice and still experiences some limitations due to a high ankle sprain.
Barkley shared the challenges he has faced during his injury recovery process. He mentioned pain and cutting as the most difficult aspects of his injury, emphasizing the impact of ankle inflammation and soreness. However, Barkley expressed optimism as each week shows improvement. He noted feeling significantly better during the current week compared to previous weeks, indicating positive progress towards a return to the field.
The MRI Results
Earlier this week, Daboll expressed optimism regarding Jones’ injury but this sentiment changed after the results of an MRI came back. Although Jones stated that the results were not negative, he reassured everyone that this injury is not a long-term concern. Neither Jones nor Daboll provided specific details about the injury, but Jones made it clear that it is different from the neck injury he suffered in 2021, which caused him to miss the last six games of that season due to a disk issue.
Jones’ Road to Recovery
Despite his initial intentions to play, Jones has not participated in running or throwing activities during practice since sustaining the injury. Instead, he has been focused on rehabilitation work within the team facility. Daboll described Jones’ condition as gradually improving but emphasized the need to take it day by day.
The Giants’ injury concerns extend beyond just their starting quarterback. They will also be without All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas, starting center John Michael Schmitz, offensive tackle Matt Peart, and outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari. Furthermore, tight end Darren Waller and right tackle Evan Neal are listed as questionable. The Giants will face the challenge of fielding a makeshift offensive line, with the possibility of recently signed veteran Justin Pugh returning or a practice squad lineman like Jalen Mayfield or Yodny Cajuste being asked to start at right tackle.
The Giants will enter the game as 15-point underdogs against the Bills. If the line remains unchanged, they will be the biggest underdogs in the NFL this season. This challenging environment, combined with the multiple injury concerns, creates a daunting situation for the Giants as they face a formidable opponent.
The New York Giants are dealing with a significant number of injuries leading up to their game against the Buffalo Bills. The absence of starting quarterback Daniel Jones, along with other key players, puts the team at a disadvantage. However, backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor will take over and attempt to lead the team to victory. The Giants’ success will heavily rely on the performance of their makeshift offensive line and the availability of star running back Saquon Barkley. Despite the challenges they face, the Giants will strive to defy the odds and compete against the Bills with resilience and determination.
Leave a Reply