EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Colt McCoy will start New York Giants quarterback Sunday night in place of injured Daniel Jones, sources told ESPN.
Jones was classified as questionable for the first-hour game with the Cleveland Browns due to hamstring and ankle injuries. The combination limited his mobility and ability to move freely, even more than the previous week when he encountered the hamstring problem.
Jones has been limited to practice this week. McCoy later handled an increased workload, including Friday, when he took the first attack with the starters. Overall, this is a good indication of who starts in this week’s game.
McCoy led the Giants to an annoying win two weeks ago over the Seattle Seahawks when he started instead of Jones. Now, he has a chance to do it again on a national stage against his former team and with Freddie Kitchens (the former Browns coach) calling for plays instead of offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
“I was grateful for my time with the Browns. I wish I could have won more games,” said McCoy, who was selected in the third round by Cleveland of Texas in the 2010 NFL draft. “There are fantastic people. “The people and the people of Cleveland are amazing. My wife and I enjoyed our time there. We just didn’t earn enough. That’s all I’m going to say about Cleveland. I think right now, our approach and our team is that we still have things to play.They are a good football team.They have won many games.We have our hands full with their guys in front.We know what we need to do to win this game.We have to prepare- us, concentrate and be ready to go out and run. “
McCoy went 13 of 22 for 105 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the Seahawks.
This has not been a normal week for the Giants, in addition to their quarterback uncertainty. They did not practice Thursday after Garrett tested positive for COVID-19. They also placed cornerback James Bradberry on the reserve list / COVID-19 after it was considered close high-risk contact with a chiropractor who had tested positive. Bradberry will miss Sunday night’s game. Outside defense coach Bret Bielema took on a new job as head coach at the University of Illinois, and offensive assistant Stephen Brown tested positive for the virus on Saturday.
Giants head coach Joe Judge said before Friday’s practice that Jones would get “his share” of first-team catches. The team considered it a throw to enter the day if Jones would be ready to start this week, especially after his ankle swelled earlier in the week.
Saturday was a trend in McCoy’s direction. The decision was made after the team went through one side.
The judge needed Jones to prove that he was not only able to protect himself, but also that his general mobility was there. It wasn’t in last week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, when he threw 127 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions and a missed fall. He was unable to escape the pressure and did not stay out of pocket and suffered an ankle injury in a stroke early in the second half. Jones did not have a rush attempt for the first time in his young career and was fired six times.
Jones said his mobility was limited against the Cardinals and his ankle was “sore” earlier this week. He was listed as a limited participant in the practice on Wednesday and Friday.
Jones insisted he felt “okay” Wednesday despite looking annoyed during the open part of the practices. But the judge noted that it is imperative to work almost exclusively with the eyes and not the ears when determining Jones’ health.
The quarterback has been firm in recent weeks about the will to play and this week is preparing once again as if he were starting.