Teammates impressed with how Giants' Daniel Jones has reacted to injury

Daniel Jones may not be the long-term quarterback for the New York Giants after he suffered a season-ending torn ACL this past Sunday, but he's impressing teammates with how he's attacked his recovery ahead of his surgery. 

"I was so proud of him because some people want to take a little break after something big like that happens," wide receiver Sterling Shepard said about Jones during a chat with the New York Post. "With the surgery nowadays, with the knee, you have to jump right on it. … The first time I saw him, he was already prehabbing and riding on the [exercise] bike. He was definitely in the right headspace, and I’m happy to see him there." 

Shepard, of course, knows from experience after he went down with a torn ACL in his left knee in September 2022. As for Jones, he revealed Wednesday he's probably a "couple weeks" away from going under the knife due to swelling in his knee. 

"Man, he’s a resilient dude," fellow wide receiver Parris Campbell said about Jones, according to Tom Rock of Newsday. "I’ve already seen him moving around, stepping over some ladders… He’s right into it." 

The 2-7 Giants were likely headed toward "earning" a high pick for the 2024 NFL Draft even before Jones experienced his latest physical setback. Many believe New York general manager Joe Schoen will look to acquire either Drake Maye of the North Carolina Tar Heels or USC Trojans signal-caller Caleb Williams next spring, in part because Schoen can realistically move on from Jones' four-year contract after the 2024 season. 

For now, Jones plans to rejoin the team soon after his surgery. Campbell noted he expects Jones is "gonna crush rehab for sure" and "be one of those dudes where you see him out there and you’ll say, 'He had his ACL surgery how long ago and he’s already up doing that?'" 

Meanwhile, Shepard is glad his Week 1 QB1 will be around, whenever possible, to help undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito and others get through what's likely to be a difficult couple of months. 

"I think guys can benefit from him being in the building and I think he understands that as well," Shepard added about Jones. "I’m pretty sure that’s what he’ll do. As much as he can be in here I’m sure he’ll be in here. I don’t anticipate that changing in any way." 

That's all well and good, but few can deny that plenty likely will change for the Giants and Jones between now and the final day of August 2024.