New York Giants, QB Daniel Jones say neck injury no longer a concern

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants and quarterback Daniel Jones feel pretty good about his health. They don't seem to have any doubts about his neck injury despite it costing him the final six games of last season.

«Yeah, I'll be cleared and ready to go,» Jones said Monday during a conference call on the first day of the offseason workout program.

The team and quarterback have been steadfast about their belief that the neck injury Jones suffered late last year would not be a long-term problem. A source said that Jones was actually close to returning before the end of the season back in early January.

But the Giants have time now, and new coach Brian Daboll said last week that Jones should be «ready to go» for the offseason program. Jones was there Monday for the first day after spending the weekend cheering on his brother Bates, who was on the Duke men's basketball team that reached the Final Four.

Phase I of the offseason program is mostly strength and conditioning. Jones won't need to face any contact until the preseason in August, so there isn't any real necessity for him to be cleared for contact now or anytime soon. He's been training locally and at the team facility without any limitations for much of the offseason.

Jones is preparing to be the team's starting quarterback again this upcoming season, even with a new general manager and coach in place. New York also signed veteran Tyrod Taylor to a two-year contract last month.

The Giants have continued to reiterate their confidence in Jones throughout the offseason. He was declared the unequivocal starter by the team's brass last week at the NFL's annual meetings. This came not long after owner John Mara said the organization had «done everything we can to