Giants coach 'optimistic' Daniel Jones will play against Bills - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants are «optimistic» about quarterback Daniel Jones playing this week against the Buffalo Bills after he left Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins with a neck injury.

Jones was hurt in the fourth quarter when he was leveled from behind and sacked for the sixth time in the contest. He said he was in some pain after the game and had an MRI on Monday morning.

«I'd say we're optimistic,» coach Brian Daboll said on an afternoon Zoom call with reporters. «He's feeling better [Monday]. So, I think he's moving in the right direction. See where he is, obviously, when he comes back on Wednesday.

»Doesn't feel terrible today."

Daboll said he still needed to speak with doctors and trainers about the MRI, but seemed relatively confident the Giants avoided a disaster scenario with their starting quarterback.

The Giants play in Buffalo on Sunday night, the fourth time in six weeks they will be in prime time.

«I'm optimistic after talking to him,» Daboll said.

Jones isn't the Giants' only major injury concern on offense. Standout running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) haven't played in weeks. It has taken its toll on the unit. The Giants have not scored an offensive touchdown in 145 minutes, almost 2½ games.

Barkley and Thomas' statuses are «yet to be determined» for this week against the Bills, per Daboll. He conceded that Barkley is closer to returning after missing the past three games with a high ankle sprain.

Barkley practiced on a limited basis all last week but was unable to make it back in time for Sunday's latest Giants loss, which dropped them to 1-4.

There was some concern that Jones could miss time because of this latest injury. It's not