EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Nine months ago today, Daniel Jones' 2023 season ended when he tore his right ACL in a loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas.
This morning, for the first time since suffering the injury and his subsequent surgery, Jones faced a defense other than the Giants. It wasn't a game, of course, but a spirited joint practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. And Jones had to make quick decisions against an unfamiliar defense, which he hadn't done since lining up against the Raiders.
"I thought I did well," Jones said. "I thought I made good decisions, so I feel good. Certainly, there's things you look to improve and work on, but overall, I felt like seeing it and feeling in the game, making decisions, I thought it was a good job.
"These practices are a little bit more competitive, a little faster tempo, higher intensity. It was fun to be in this kind of situation and good to go out there."
The New York Giants hosted the Detroit Lions for joint practices ahead of Thursday's preseason opener.
WR Malik Nabers (9)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Malik Nabers (9), QB Daniel Jones (8)
Dan Campbell and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (6)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
WR John Jiles (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin, Brian Daboll Head Coach
OLB Brian Burns (0) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Michael Strahan, WR Malik Nabers (9)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
T Yodny Cajuste (70)
RB Dante Miller (25)
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
WR Allen Robinson II (15)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
QB Drew Lock (2)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
T Andrew Thomas (78), TE Theo Johnson (47)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
T Andrew Thomas (78), TE Theo Johnson (47)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell
DT Casey Rogers (91)
DB Tre Herndon (23)
LB Matthew Adams (49)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
DB Tre Herndon (23)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Dane Belton (24)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
OLB Brian Burns (0), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
DT Casey Rogers (91)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19), WR Malik Nabers (9), CB Deonte Banks (3), WR Darius Slayton (86), CB Nick McCloud (44)
John K. Mara, Esq. President and Chief Executive Officer, Board Director,Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell
John K. Mara, Esq. President and Chief Executive Officer, Board Director,Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19), WR Malik Nabers (9), CB Deonte Banks (3), WR Darius Slayton (86), CB Nick McCloud (44)
QB Drew Lock (2)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Dante Miller (25)
Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan, WR Malik Nabers (9)
Jonathan Casillas
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
CB Alex Johnson (25)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Allen Robinson II (5)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Allen Robinson II (5)
RB Jacob Saylors (28)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Benton Whitley (48)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Devin Singletary (26), WR Jameson Williams (9)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (6)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (17)
RB Devin Singletary (26), WR Jameson Williams (9)
Michael Strahan, WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
Michael Strahan, jonathan casillas, Victor Cruz
Tom Coughlin, Brian Daboll Head Coach
Victor Cruz, Kevin Boothe
Victor Cruz, Kevin Boothe
Tom Coughlin, Brian Daboll Head Coach
Giants Alumni Ahmad Bradshaw, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee, Kevin Boothe
Tom Coughlin, Brian Daboll Head Coach
Giants Alumni Ahmad Bradshaw, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee, Kevin Boothe
OLB Brian Burns (0) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) and Amon-Ra St. Brown during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
S Tyler Nubin (31) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Victor Cruz during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28), CB Deonte Banks during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), DL Timmy Horne (96) and ILB Bobby Okereke (58)nduring Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Kevin Booth during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Dante Miller (25) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR John Jiles (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Dante Miller (25) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
S Jason Pinnock (27) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Dan Campbell and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A look down the line of scrimmage during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Timmy Horne (96) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A look down the line of scrimmage during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A look down the line of scrimmage during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Dennis Houston (88) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A look down the line of scrimmage during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) talks with Hendon Hooker during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll talks with Dan Campbell during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Darius Slayton (86) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Allen Robinson during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR John Jiles (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DT Elijah Chatman (94) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Eric Gray (20) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Malik Nabers (9), TE Theo Johnson (47)
QB Jared Goff (16), QB Drew Lock (2), QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Drew Lock (2)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Malik Nabers (9)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
G Aaron Stinnie (64)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
WR Darius Slayton (86), WR Malik Nabers (9), G Austin Schlottmann (65)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
LB Matthew Adams (49)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
CB Alex Johnson (25)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
DL Timmy Horne (96)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
CB Dru Phillips (22), WR Ayir Asante (19) S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19), S Jason Pinnock (27)
S Dane Belton (24)
QB Jared Goff (16)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8), QB Jared Goff (16)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
QB Daniel Jones (8), QB Jared Goff (16)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
TE Tyree Jackson (84)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), S Dane Belton (24), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
WR Allen Robinson II (5)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), QB Jared Goff (16)
S Dane Belton (24), S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Darnay Holmes (30), S Gervarrius Owens (39)
George Martin
CB Alex Johnson (25)
S Gervarrius Owens (39)
CB Darnay Holmes (30) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
George Martin, Gary Reasons
Gary Reasons
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), WR Darius Slayton (86)
QB Daniel Jones (8), QB Jared Goff (16)
George Martin
Gary Reasons
Rodney Hampton
CB Deonte Banks (3), CB Dru Phillips (22), S Dane Belton (24), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Darius Slayton (86) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Nick McCloud (44), S Gervarrius Owens (39) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Allen Robinson (5) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Jared Goff, QB Drew Lock (2) and QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Jacob Saylors (28) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Micah McFadden (41), ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Tommy DeVito (15) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Mark Brunell during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll talk to ILB Bobby Okereke (58), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Drew Lock (2) and Jared Goff during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Dan Campbell and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Shane Bowen during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Allen Robinson and WR Isaiah Hodgins (18) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Micah McFadden (41) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Allen Robinson and WR Isaiah Hodgins (18) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Jones threw several pinpoint passes, notably to first-round draft choice Malik Nabers, and demonstrated his knee is strong by running when necessary, as he has all camp. He also showed his feisty side by engaging in one of the numerous skirmishes that broke out during the practice. When Giants center Greg Van Roten tangled with a Detroit defensive lineman, Jones was the first one to hit the Lions player. The coaches intervened to quickly end his involvement.
"Oh, Lord, Daniel got jiggy with it," said linebacker Brian Burns, who was on the adjacent field with the rest of the defense. "Daniel was out there with it? Yeah. I'm going to need him to back up. Let his O-Line handle that. But Daniel, he's a competitor, man. He's a fighter. I don't expect anything less from him. But I don't need him in that. I don't need him to get hit. Keep him healthy."
Jones said he acted no differently than any of his teammates would have.
"A situation happens like that, you try to stand up for your guys," he said. "I thought it was a good, competitive practice all day today and we made some plays and did some good things. There are some things we need to sure up, for sure, but good intensity and competitive spirit today."
The bright red jersey Jones wears in practice signifies he is not supposed to engage in any contact, particularly if he initiates it. But he said the jersey doesn't preclude him from doing so.
"I don't think it should," he said. "He's my teammate, and just like he would stick up for me, I'm going to stick up for him."
The repair of a torn knee ligament comes with no guarantees, but Jones never doubted he would be in this position 274 days after getting hurt. He has taken every first-team rep in practice since camp began two weeks ago.
"This was always kind of the goal and expectation for me," he said. "And certainly, put a lot of work into it, but I've had a lot of help, a lot of people along the way who told me what to do and I've just done as well as I can. Lucky to be here, but it was always kind of the plan."
He was pleased today with his pre- and post-snap recognition, decision-making, and throwing.
"I think I've made good progress," Jones said. "I feel like (I am) getting back used to the speed of the game and playing, seeing it, getting the ball out on time. Obviously, always looking to take the next step and improve, and that's what I'm focused on now."
Coach Brian Daboll would not say if Jones will play against the Lions in the opening preseason game Thursday in MetLife Stadium. In the same scenario last year in Detroit, Jones participated in two joint practices with the Lions and sat out the game with most of the starters.
"We'll go through all that later in the week," Daboll said.
"I'd like to play," Jones said. "I think, at the end of the day, that's the coach's decision, and I'll do whatever Dabs thinks."
Does he need to play after his long layoff?
"I think you try to make practice as game-like as possible and get real game speed reps in practice and make sure you're ready to go," he said. "So regardless of what Dabs decides for this coming game, I'll be ready to go when I get my chance. … I always think it's valuable to get game reps and to feel that. My knee feels good, and I feel ready to go. I've tested it and done everything that I need to do to make sure it's ready to go. So, I feel good about my knee."
Responding to a question last week from Ty Dunne for "Go Long" on Substack, Jones said "absolutely" when asked if he is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. The answer was unlike those usually offered by Jones, who is virtually never boastful or eager to call attention to himself.
"I think the question had mostly to do with confidence and how I see my ability to play at this level," Jones said. "I'm very, very confident and know I can play at a high level here. I understand I need to do that consistently, and we all do if we want to go where we want to go as an offense, as a team. I'm confident in myself. I know I can play at a high level, and I think we've got a team and guys who are all confident and can play at a high level, also."
One of them, of course, is Nabers, the sixth selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. If the Giants are to show marked improvement this season, the harmony between Jones and Nabers will be critical.
"I think it's growing every day," Daboll said. "Again, Malik's a rookie. Daniel's coming back from his surgery. Those guys work hard in individual routes. Obviously, in team periods, I think each day it's gotten better and better. There's a lot of nuances to the passing game. We ask him to do a lot. Maybe it's a couple of different routes each day to make sure that we're getting the timing and the rhythm down, and if we need to get it again, we go back to another practice or the practice after that to make sure we're continuing to build that chemistry."
"I think he can do everything," Jones said of Nabers. "His competitive spirit, his drive. I think when the ball's up in the air, he expects it to be his, and he's going to go get it. He's got all the physical ability in the world, and size, strength, speed, quickness, great hands, and he's got the attitude that he's going to go get the ball, and it's going to be his. We've got to keep working and keep building our chemistry, but I thought he's had a good camp."
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