The Giants do not need to go searching for a quarterback to start their game Sunday in Las Vegas.
Daniel Jones has been cleared for contact and should be able to retake his starting job after a full week of practice.
Jones actually received medical clearance on Sunday prior to the Giants losing 13-10 in overtime to the Jets.
However, Jones had already been ruled out of the game when the Friday injury report was announced.
Coach Brian Daboll said he was informed that Jones was cleared after his team blew a 10-7 lead in the closing seconds of regulation and endured one of the franchise’s most unsettling losses in years.
“Yeah, it’s good,’’ Daboll said on Monday. “Whether it’s the quarterback, the left tackle, the right tackle, the running back — I mean, any time you can get good players, it certainly helps.’’
It cannot hurt, considering the state of the offense in the three games played without Jones. He has been dealing with a neck injury that kept him out of the past three games — a 14-9 loss to the Bills, a 14-7 victory over the Commanders and the brutal loss to the Jets.
Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor started those three games but could not finish against the Jets, as he was forced out in the second quarter with an injury to his rib cage that put him in Hackensack University Medical Center for overnight observation.
Daniel Jones (c.) on the sideline during the Giants’ loss to the Jets on Oct. 29, 2023. Charles Wenzelberg/NY PostTommy DeVito, elevated from the practice squad before the game, made his NFL debut and was basically asked to hand the ball off to Saquon Barkley.
DeVito completed 2 of 7 passes for minus-1 yard, but he did score the Giants’ lone touchdown on a 6-yard run early in the third quarter.
Taylor will be out of the picture for the time being. Daboll said Taylor “was pretty sore.’’ He was discharged from the hospital Monday afternoon and returned to the Giants’ facility.
Jones was hurt in the Week 5 loss to the Dolphins when he was sacked from behind by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel — the 28th sack taken by Jones in less than five games.
He suffered an injury to the left side of his neck and said he felt symptoms not only in his neck but also in his left shoulder, with weakness in his left arm.
The Giants needed those symptoms to dissipate before Jones could be cleared for contact.
Tyrod Taylor left Sunday’s Giants loss with a ribs injury. Charles Wenzelberg/NY PostAfter he passed certain strength markers to show he was not experiencing weakness on his left side, Jones got the clearance and should be able to practice normally on Wednesday.
He had been taking scout team reps the past two weeks.
Jones was listed as questionable to return to action prior to the game against the Commanders but ended up as one of the inactive players.
He was ruled out Friday to face the Jets even though he did not meet that day with team medical personnel.
That examination, including a consultation with a spine surgeon, came Sunday morning.
If Jones had met with the specialist on Friday and been cleared, could he have conceivably played against the Jets?
Unlikely, considering he had not practiced with the first-team offense in three weeks.
“I’d say whenever they tell me he’s ready, that’s when he’s ready,’’ Daboll said. “So, when they tell me he’s not ready, he’s not ready.’’
Jones missed the final six games of the 2021 season with a neck issue that he insists is a different injury from the one that kept him out for three games this season.
With Taylor likely sidelined for a while, the Giants could go with Jones and DeVito against the Raiders on Sunday.
They will need to add a third quarterback, though.
Daniel Jones has been cleared to practice and seems likely to suit up on Sunday. Bill Kostroun for the NY PostThey took a look earlier this season at Ian Book and Matt Barkley who came in for tryouts. Barkley has familiarity with Daboll’s offensive system from their time together in Buffalo.
The first season since signing a four-year deal worth $160 million has not gone well for Jones. He has two touchdown passes and six interceptions in his five games.
The Giants are 2-6 and their season is beyond saving, but getting Jones back at least offers hope the Giants can put a credible passing attack on the field.
“Yeah, I think it’s huge,’’ linebacker Micah McFadden said. “It’ll be great to have DJ back. Huge player for us, brings a lot of confidence to the offense, I think, and throughout the whole team. Having a captain and a leader back, I think that’s huge.’’







