Daniel Jones makes NFL debut

<p>This past spring, Daniel Jones became the first Duke quarterback ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.</p>

This past spring, Daniel Jones became the first Duke quarterback ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Despite being selected sixth overall in last April's NFL Draft, Daniel Jones wasn't expected to make his professional debut until midseason at the very least.

But with the New York Giants down 35-17 to the Dallas Cowboys late in the fourth quarter of the team's season opener, the former Blue Devil trotted onto the field for his first reps as an NFL quarterback.

Jones entered the game with just 1:46 left in the contest and led just a single offensive drive—but the Charlotte native made sure to test out his arm as much as possible.



On his very first play under center, Jones connected with running back Wayne Gallman Jr. for a five-yard gain to the Giants' 44-yard line, following that up with a six-yard completion to tight end Evan Engram for his first career first down.

The 2018 Independence Bowl MVP completed another six-yard pass to Gallman Jr. on his next pass attempt, but that's where the success would end. After his target to tight end Rhett Ellison fell incomplete on second down, Jones scrambled right looking to extend the drive.

Dallas' Leighton Vader Esch brought Jones down at the Cowboys' 39-yard line in what was initially ruled down by contact. But upon further review, Jones appeared to fumble the ball, which Dallas recovered.

Overall, Jones finished 3-of-4 for 17 yards passing on the afternoon, adding five rushing yards and a lost fumble. While his late-game appearance doesn't seem to indicate Jones is taking over for Eli Manning as New York's starter, many Giants fans did call the former Duke quarterback's name after the team's offense struggled to score for much of the game.

Whether Jones makes a second straight appearance will be left up in the air until 1 p.m. next Sunday, when New York takes on the Bills.

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