TUCSON, Ariz. — The latest episode of How The Quarterback Turns touched down Wednesday in the Sonoran Desert.
Daniel Jones again has not yet been cleared for contact, and Giants coach Joe Judge said at this point there are no indications the strained neck that has forced Jones to the sideline is season-ending.
Jones had his neck checked out in Los Angeles on Monday, traveling with Ronnie Barnes, the Giants’ senior vice president of medical services, to see neck specialist Dr. Robert Watkins. The concern is that if Jones plays, he could do further damage to the neck, which suffered some structural damage in the loss in Tampa in Week 11.
“I think that’s part of the caution right now, so we don’t create a long-term concern,’’ Judge said before the Giants practiced at the University of Arizona.
As for the immediate quarterback needs of the Giants, Mike Glennon remains in concussion protocol but Judge said he has every belief Glennon will be cleared and out of the protocol later in the week. If that happens, Glennon will start Sunday against the Chargers in Los Angeles, Judge said.
Jake Fromm, signed last week off the Bills’ practice squad, took the first-team snaps in practice. Glennon was on the side during the morning walk-through but Glennon was expected to participate in the afternoon session as he advances through the five-step protocol.
If Glennon gets through a full practice on Friday, he will be cleared to play as long as he passes tests given by an outside neurologist.
“We’ll have to put him through some designed drills to make sure he’s safe to make sure on Sunday, just like we did with Daniel coming off the Dallas game,’’ Judge said, referring to Jones, who went through concussion protocol earlier this season without missing a game.
“We have nothing that at this point that would say [Glennon] wouldn’t clear, so we’re waiting to see where that goes.”
Jones, as he was last week, was on the field, throwing and looking like any of the other quarterbacks wearing red non-contact jerseys. Unlike last week, there is no talk of Jones being ready to play this next game.
“There’s not an immediate timeline, this can change quickly, it can change over time,’’ Judge said. “Talking to the doctors and the medical team, there are some things they’re just waiting, in terms of we have to make sure he is cleared for contact. When it comes to necks, backs, things of that nature, we’re not going to take any risks with our players.’’
The thing is, Jones does not look hurt in any way. He can move and throw as if nothing is wrong, yet the strain in his neck prevents him from playing.
“I’m not saying it’s easy for him,’’ Judge said. “I think Daniel does a very good job of staying very level and keeping very collected. When he has something to say he can walk into my office and vent to me at any point and we can talk it on through. In terms of being around the other players he keeps it very even keel.’’
The Giants are 4-8 and have five quarterbacks: Jones, Glennon and Fromm on the roster and Brian Lewerke and newly signed Clayton Thorson on the practice squad.
Glennon started against the Dolphins and completed 23 of 44 passes for 187 yards and one interception. The Giants failed to score a touchdown. Afterward the Giants revealed he suffered a concussion at some point in the game.
The Giants signed Fromm after Jones was diagnosed with a neck issue, not knowing Glennon would get a concussion, making Fromm next in line to start. He said getting the first-team reps on Wednesday was “fun, you feel like a football player.’’
Getting Fromm ready to play is a rush job, complicated by Jerry Schuplinski, the quarterbacks coach, working remotely after he tested positive for COVID-19. For on-field tutoring, Fromm is working with Nick Williams, the offensive quality control assistant coach.
“You’re preparing for like a final test where you didn’t show up for any of the classes,’’ Fromm said.
Yeah. It’s like cramming for that exam.
“Things will be said in a meeting, don’t know exactly what that is,’’ Fromm said. “ ‘Hey Daniel, what is this?’ And he’ll do me a favor and draw it up for me.’’
Fromm has his parents, back home in Georgia, on alert. If he learns he is starting on Sunday, they will fly to Los Angeles. If not, no trip.
“I would love it,’’ Fromm, a former star at the University of Georgia, said. “Be a dream come true. Something I’ve wanted to do as a kid growing up. Have a chance, especially for an organization like the New York Giants, it would be incredible.’’
Incredible, but, at this point, unlikely.
