Sign up for NFL+ to watch The Insiders every Monday-Friday at noon ET for more exclusive reports.
The neck injury that will sideline New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones for a third consecutive game today is not believed to be season-ending, sources say, but it must fully heal before Jones can return to action and avoid the risk of a reinjury that could lead to a much longer absence.
Sources say Jones' injury has caused significant weakness in his left (non-throwing) arm. The injury is healing, and Jones has regained a lot of the strength, but it hasn't healed enough for Jones to be cleared for contact, keeping Tyrod Taylor in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Jets.
If Jones, 26, were to return before he's fully healthy, there would be a heightened risk of reinjury that would send him back to square one. So, the Giants continue to take a cautious approach to his return. The past two weeks in practice, Jones took increased scout-team reps, a sign that shutting him down is not currently under consideration. But until he's fully cleared, that's all he'll do at practice.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll was asked this past week if Jones' injury could be season-ending.
"I don't have a crystal ball with injuries," Daboll told reporters, "but he is getting better and we'll see where he is next week."
Jones previously suffered a neck injury in 2021 -- another disc issue that led to an early end to his season. Jones has said this recent neck injury isn't as severe, and sources say it's not viewed as anything long-term. However, the risk of further complication isn't worth rushing him back.
The Giants signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract in March that pays him $46 million this season and $36 million in 2024, including $35.5 million fully guaranteed. Another $23 million is guaranteed for injury in 2025.
New York (2-5) has scored a league-low 85 points entering Sunday's game against the cross-town rival Jets.
