Giants’ Jones had ‘no real setbacks’ in ACL recovery

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones provided a positive update as he gets closer to returning from a torn ACL.

“It’s just a slow, gradual process,” Jones recently said of his rehab on “Simms Complete.” “You know kind of where the week goal is, where the benchmark is that you’re trying to hit every week, and progress throughout it. I’ve had a pretty smooth process, no real setbacks or issues with it.

“At this point, I’m doing pretty much everything. Running, cutting, everything I need to do.”

Jones’ comments suggest he’ll be ready for New York’s first practice at training camp July 24. The signal-caller will be able to rejoin 11-on-11 drills once he’s medically cleared to return.

The 27-year-old suffered the major knee injury in Week 9 last season. Jones also battled a neck injury in 2023. He appeared in only six games all year after entering the campaign with high expectations fresh off a four-year, $160-million contract extension.

Jones helped the Giants reach the divisional round during the 2022 season but regressed in the first half of the 2023 campaign. He passed for only two touchdowns to six interceptions before being ruled out for the year.

It was rumored that New York considered selecting a quarterback during the 2024 draft, but the team ended up adding to its supporting cast around Jones. The former first-round pick is signed through the 2026 season but doesn’t have any guaranteed salary after 2024, according to Over The Cap.

“I expect a lot of myself, I expect a lot of the team,” Jones said, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “And what’s going on outside, that is not necessarily something that is going to drive me.”

Instead of bringing in a new quarterback, the Giants used the No. 6 pick on receiver Malik Nabers. New York also made a splash on defense, acquiring star pass-rusher Brian Burns in a trade from the Carolina Panthers.

“I’m excited about the guys we brought in,” Jones added.