Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was cleared to start Sunday’s game in London against the Green Bay Packers, but health questions remain for New York.
Jones suffered an ankle sprain in a 20-12 win over the Chicago Bears last week and backup Tyrod Taylor left after sustaining a concussion. Jones returned, but was extremely limited, and running back Saquon Barkley operated late out of the wildcat.
Jones was removed from the injury report on Friday, but Taylor is out along with wide receivers Kadarius Toney (hamstring), Kenny Golladay (knee) and Wan’Dale Robinson (knee).
“I’m not surprised, he’s a pretty tough individual,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said of Jones. “I think he’s made a lot of progress since after the game and he’s been in the treatment room pretty consistently throughout these last couple days, so we’ll put him out there, give him some reps and see where he’s at.”
The only other quarterback on the roster is Davis Webb, who will be elevated from the practice squad before Sunday. He has never thrown a pass in a regular season game.
Both teams are 3-1. The Giants are tied with Dallas, one game behind undefeated Philadelphia in the NFC East. Green Bay is coming off a 27-24 overtime victory over New England at home. The Packers have won three straight since a season-opening loss at Minnesota, which shares the NFC North lead with Green Bay.
Green Bay is making its first trip to London, while the Giants played there in 2007 and 2016.
“The preparation is going to be absolutely critical, especially the mental preparation, because you’re going to be out of rhythm in terms of your schedule, the practice schedule,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “And, you try to keep it as normal as possible like a typical week. But, let’s face it, it’s anything but.”
Barkley rushed for 146 yards against the Bears as the Giants pounded out 262 yards on the ground. Jones had two rushing touchdowns before he was hurt.
The Giants’ defense held the Bears to four field goals and 304 yards total offense. New York also recovered three Chicago fumbles. The Giants are 10th in team defense, eighth against the pass, but 28th in run defense. That’s where the Packers come poised to do damage.
Green Bay gained 199 yards on the ground last week, including 110 from Aaron Jones and 73 from AJ Dillon.
In addition to Daniel Jones, right tackle Evan Neal (neck) was hurt last week. Protecting Jones in the pocket remains a chief concern.
Preparing for 38-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who has six TDs and three interceptions this season, always is a challenge, Daboll said.
“He’s fun to watch when you’re not getting ready to play him,” Daboll said of the four-time MVP. “I’ll be watching their offense, and naturally you’re watching 12 (Rodgers) and things he does, and how he moves people, and accuracy, and off-schedule plays, and checks and things he does. He’s as good as it gets. And he’s a hard quarterback to defend.”
The Packers are 21st in total offense and seventh in rushing, but 16th in passing as Rodgers still tries to adjust to the offseason loss of Davante Adams. Green Bay is seventh in team defense and third against the pass, but 22nd against the run, allowing 126.8 yards per game.
Packers safety Adrian Amos (concussion) returned to practice on Friday and cornerback Jaire Alexander (groin) and left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) were removed from the team’s report, meaning they’ll play Sunday.
–Field Level Media
