The last time Daniel Jones took the field knowing the opposing defense could clobber him was back on Nov. 5, when he went down in a heap in Las Vegas, done for the 2023 season with a torn right ACL.
Through an extensive rehab following reconstructive surgery, Jones navigated an orderly spring and moved into the summer experiencing no setbacks, no days when he needed to take a break from training camp, no portion of practice when he needed a breather.
The next step in his recovery and return comes Saturday, when he will start at quarterback for the Giants in their second preseason game.
Jones will not be wearing a red “no-contact’’ jersey, thus he will be fair game if one of the Texans has a clear shot at him.
“Yeah, I’m not seeing it differently than I would any other year,’’ Jones said Thursday after practice. “I think with the first hit of the season and playing again after time off. Maybe I’ve had a little bit longer time off than in a normal situation. But as far as my knee or any of that, I’m not too concerned about that first hit. But like any preseason or like any first contact of the year, I think that kind of makes you feel like football again.’’
That first jolt will come at some point, but Jones is no masochist.
He is not looking forward to it.
“Yeah, I’m certainly not trying to get hit,’’ he said, laughing.
Other than wearing a black sleeve on his right leg, there are no signs from Jones that he is coming off a significant injury.
He looks as fast as ever when he takes off and runs, and his cutting ability does not appear compromised.
His accuracy at the start of training camp was not where it needed to be, but it has improved, perhaps as Jones gets his legs under him and grows more comfortable planting on his right leg.
Slightly more than eight months after surgery, Jones is back in action in a game featuring live tackling.
“I don’t think I’ll be thinking about my knee much,’’ he said. “I think I’ve tested it. I’ve tested it in practice, tested it in my rehab and workouts, and feel like it’s in a good place. So, yeah, I’m confident my knee will be ready to go. It won’t be something I’m thinking about much.’’
Head coach Brian Daboll said, “It will be good to get him out there in a preseason game, operate the offense.’’
The goal will be to move the ball, get in the end zone and stay healthy during however long Jones is in the game at NRG Stadium — a few series, the first quarter, whatever it is.
“Yeah, that’s the plan,’’ offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said. “I think just getting Daniel in the mix with all 11 guys and the groupings and kind of that first group in there just to get a feel for everybody — whether it’s the offensive line, the receivers — and just continue to work together. We have worked well all camp, and so this is just another opportunity in the preseason to get it with live bullets.’’
Jones handled the uptick in competition with aplomb in the joint practices with the Lions, but there was no risk of his getting touched, much less sacked.
This will likely be the only preseason action for Jones — he probably will be held out of the finale against the Jets — so this is the best audition he will get before the real thing Sept. 8 in the season-opener with the Vikings.
“Well, I think it’s a little bit faster,’’ Jones said. “And the pass rush is real. They can hit you in the game. So just feeling that, sensing that, but I think that just comes down to getting the ball out on time, moving well in the pocket. All the things you work on in a practice situation get tested in a game when you can get hit.’’
Jones was steadfast that he would make it back without missing a thing this summer, and his conviction proved to be accurate.
He can be stoic talking about so many of his responsibilities as the Giants’ starting quarterback, but he did admit getting back into a game is something special for him.
“It’s exciting,’’ Jones said, “I’ll be excited to be out there again and just going through the game routine, the pregame, getting out there, playing in front of a crowd. I think all that’s exciting. So, I’m looking forward to doing that again.’’
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