Giants Lose Two Key Players Against Cowboys

The short-handed Giants on Sunday lost quarterback Daniel Jones, who was carted off the field after a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Dallas Cowboys.

On third-and-goal with less than four minutes remaining in the first half, Jones ran to his left toward the goal line. At the 1-yard line, he lowered his shoulder and head and collided with the helmet of Dallas linebacker Jabril Cox, who wrestled Jones to the ground.

Jones stood up, put his hands on his knees and then walked toward the sideline. After a few strides, he wobbled and almost tripped before the referee and team trainers ran to assist him. He was taken to the locker room by cart and did not return to the game.

No penalty was called despite the helmet-to-helmet contact. In 2018, the N.F.L. started penalizing players for lowering their heads and initiating contact to an opponent. A player is not penalized if he lowers his head while bracing for contact.

Running back Devontae Booker scored on the next play to tie the score at 10. The Cowboys went into halftime leading, 17-10.

The Giants, at the time, were without their star running back, Saquon Barkley, who injured his left ankle in the first quarter. Barkley’s foot turned sideways when he stepped on the foot of Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis. He hobbled off the field and was taken to the locker room by cart and was out for the game. Barkley sat out almost all of the 2020 season after he tore an anterior cruciate ligament.

The Giants also lost receiver Kenny Golladay, who left the game with a knee injury.

Receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton did not play against Dallas because of hamstring injures. Safety Jabrill Peppers and offensive linemen Ben Bredeson and Andrew Thomas were also unavailable.