NY Giants’ Daniel Jones’ status vs. Cardinals remains unknown

NY Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was only a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, ahead of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals

NY Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, leaving his availability uncertain for Sunday’s clash with the Arizona Cardinals that carries significant playoff implications.

Jones has not practiced in full since injuring his right hamstring two weeks ago in a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

If Jones is unable to play this week, backup quarterback Colt McCoy would make his second start.

According to multiple reports, Jones spent time with the first-team offense during the early portion of Thursday’s practice, but as the Giants announced later, he was not a full participant.

Prior to Thursday’s practice, NY Giants head coach Joe Judge said that any decision on Jones playing Sunday would hinge on what he was able to do in Thursday and Friday’s practices.

"“To be completely transparently honest with you guys,” Judge said Thursday. “I don’t have an answer for you right now on that. I really have to see this guy move around on the field, and that’s just what it is. Look, we want all of our players to be fully healthy and be out there. He did a walkthrough yesterday, he did an abbreviated workout with the trainers that we watched after practice.But that being said, none of those are what my concerns are with him going into Sunday. Until he does some things that I can really see and make the judgement that he can protect himself and stay out there healthy on the field, I can’t give you an answer. I would just be making something up.”"

Judging by what he wasn’t able to do Thursday, it sounds like Friday is a make-or-break situation for Jones this week.

If McCoy is forced to play, one week after passing for just 105 yards with one touchdown and one interception against the Seattle Seahawks, Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett says that the game plan won’t change.

“We feel like Colt is capable of doing whatever we ask our quarterbacks to do,” Garrett said. “I don’t think the game plan changes dramatically from a mental standpoint or a physical standpoint. Obviously, you customize things.

“Again, you try to play to your players’ strengths and limit their weaknesses. But in terms of capability, we feel like each of those guys is capable to do whatever we ask them to do. You might customize it a little bit for each of them to do what they do best.”

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.