QB Daniel Jones
December 9, 2020
Q: How do you feel?
A: I’m feeling good. I’m feeling better. Just trying to get this thing healed up and hopefully back out there.
Q: How close do you think you are to being back where you were before?
A: I don’t know. I think it’s a daily process. I’m’ working every day to get better and to heal it up so I can get back out there. I’m not sure a percentage. Just working every day to improve.
Q: What’s your expectation for Sunday?
A: We have a little bit of time here at the end of the week. My job is to do everything I can to get it ready to play. Listen to what the trainers are telling me. Follow the program that’s been laid out. Just try to take every day and work to get it better and see where we are.
Q: Have you opened it up to really test it? Joe (Judge) keeps saying he’s not going to put you out there if you can’t protect yourself. As a quarterback, what does being able to protect yourself mean? What do you have to show them you can do? Do you feel you are getting close to that?
A: I’ve been able to do some drills and some movement drills with the trainers. Like I said, kind of following their program and what they’ve outlined for me. I’ll continue to work through that. I think coach is talking about being able to move in the game in situations you can’t predict. When you are getting pressure and have to make sudden movements. Whether that’s getting up field or moving to get the ball out and situations like that. Like I said, I will continue to follow the trainers’ program and keep working with them on that.
Q: For you to be able to play, do you think you have to be able to do everything you normally can? Would you feel comfortable if they scale it back and you can do some things but not some of the things you really need like leg heavy stuff?
A: It’s tough to say now. Luckily, it’s Wednesday so I have some time to continue to get better and heal it up. As far as what the plan will be, what I’ll be asked to do when I’m able to get back out there, that’s somewhat of a hypothetical situation. I’m trying to improve day to day and make sure I’m doing everything I can to heal it up.
Q: Colt told us last week you went up to him early and said, ‘I think I’m a longshot for this week, be ready.’ You haven’t done that this week, have you?
A: I’m not sure I remember exactly how that conversation went last week or when that was communicated. Last week, I prepared to play and prepared to get out there on the field. We decided that wasn’t going to happen. I’ll take the same approach this week.
Q: When you look at this team, what is different this year compared to last year?
A: Throughout the year, we’ve grown together. Been able to learn each other and get on the same page. Improve week to week. I think that’s the strength of this year’s team. Not necessarily comparing it to last year. I think last year we certainly improved and worked hard through the year as well. I think we’ve done a lot of good things towards the end of the season as far as understanding how to play with each other and working to improve as a unit, both offensively, defensively and the kicking game. Kind of across the board, I think our improvement week to week has been a big factor in our recent success.
Q: One thing Joe has said is he can’t really take you at your word because you’re always going to say you want to play. Did you lobby to try to play Sunday or did you know you weren’t ready?
A: Yeah, I always want to play. I’ll continue to communicate that. My goal is to play every week. I think it was a decision we made together with the trainers, the medical staff, the coaches and myself that I wouldn’t play last week. Like I said, the goal every day is to improve, to get healthy and hopefully get back out there soon.
Q: One thing Joe has said a lot and past teammates and coaches have said is how tough you are. Where does that toughness come from?
A: I don’t know. Just wanting to compete, wanting to be out there, play with my teammates. I take a lot of pride in that part of the game. I think it’s important at any position, particularly the quarterback position, to be someone who can withstand physical or mental, whatever it is, and show toughness across the board. I think that’s something I try to do.
Q: Colt said this is killing you not being able to play. Is that pretty close to accurate?
A: Yeah, it’s tough not playing, It’s tough missing time. I’ve got to focus on healing up. I’ve got to focus on what I can do. Right now, that’s working every day to get back out there. Continue to study like I’m playing, like I did last week. That’s what I’ve got to focus on. It’s tough not playing. I think anyone would agree with me there. I think you want to be out there, you want to be out there with your teammates.
Q: Does the status of the team right now, first place vying for a playoff spot, does that add to the urgency in your mind? Obviously, last year you missed some games, but they were pretty meaningless in terms of the standings.
A: In the position I’m in, it’s important to kind of focus on what I’m doing, getting my hamstring better and working every day to heal it up. I want to be out there. Doing everything I can to do that.
Q: I wanted to ask you about the Cardinals defense. Are they very deceptive? Does that defense kind of flow through Budda Baker or is it evenly distributed?
A: Yeah, they can be a deceptive defense and try to disguise coverages, disguise pressures. Like you said, Baker does a good job with that stuff. Showing you one thing and then something else is coming. He’s a good football player for sure. He’s an active guy around the ball and blitzing. He’s a good cover guy as well. They’ve got a lot of good players. They’ve got guys who can make plays and disrupt a game at every level. We’ll have to be ready for it and we’ll have a plan to account for it.
