Sports
Can Giants QB Daniel Jones change narrative around him? Maybe not, but wins will help
SEATTLE — After six seasons as a New York Giants quarterback, Daniel Jones understands the New York media experience. That’s especially true when thinking about the ups (the 2022 playoff victory) and downs (where do you even want to begin?) of his career.
“There will always be a story of the week or a kind of idea that’s out there,” Jones explained Sunday. “It’s our job to know what’s real and know what’s going on. To fix the problems that are real but also to ignore the things that aren’t.”
This past week, Jones and his teammates were tasked with trying to ignore a narrative that suggested the Giants had no chance to beat the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The thinking went: This was a cross-country trip to one of the most hostile environments in the NFL against a quality opponent without two of their top playmakers in rookie sensation Malik Nabers and starting running back Devin Singletary. Coming off an ugly loss against Dallas last Thursday, the Giants had no chance. A fall to 1-4 was a given.
Or so the story of the week went.
But Jones and his teammates didn’t let a bad narrative get in the way of a good day. On Sunday, they played their most complete game of the year en route to a 29-20 victory that might just help change the trajectory of their season.
Jones, in particular, looked poised throughout Sunday’s game, racking up 257 yards and two touchdowns while going 23-of-34 passing. Of course, what’s more important than the quality stats — which he’s posted routinely lately — was marrying them with a win. Against Dallas, Jones’ final numbers looked good, but the scoreboard didn’t.
On Sunday, Jones made both shine.
“It all started with DJ just dicing the defense up, being confident as hell and just throwing the ball downfield,” right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said after Sunday’s victory.
Actually, the way things started Sunday, it certainly didn’t seem like a win was in the offing for New York. In fact, the Giants’ first offensive play seemed to foretell a rocky afternoon, as Jones tripped in the pocket and then fumbled, pushing the Giants within five yards of their own end zone. Jones recovered, however, and proceeded to lead a 10-minute drive down the field which ended catastrophically. Running back Eric Gray fumbled while diving into the end zone, and Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins recovered it before running 102 yards for a Seattle touchdown.
99 yards and a skip into the endzone…
TOUCHDOWN RAYSHAWN JENKINS! pic.twitter.com/XY4wpFXLwI
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 6, 2024
But the Giants didn’t let the devastating start derail them. Instead, two series later, Jones marched the Giants 81 yards down the field and knotted the game 7-to-7 with a touchdown pass to Wan’Dale Robinson.
That’s six for Robinson 🫡
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/uoRBHFsui5
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 6, 2024
Jones set up that 7-yard strike to Robinson with an 11-yard scamper. That was his longest run of a game in which he relied on his legs quite a bit. Jones rushed 11 times — more than any game since the 2023 season-opener (13) — for 38 yards.
While Jones’ legs are an asset, he should probably be more careful going forward, as he took a few cringe-inducing hits — though he delivered a few hits of his own, lowering his shoulder and impressing his teammates.
“That man does not feel pain because he was running right into the fricking smoke all day today,” Eluemunor said. “I mean as an offensive lineman, you’ll run through a brick wall for that type of guy.”
GO DEEPER
Giants return blocked field goal for TD, beat Seahawks
Fortunately for Jones’ health, the Giants running game didn’t rely solely on him trying to be a battering ram. Rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. stepped up in the absence of Singletary, rushing for 129 yards on 18 carries in his first career start. Gray, the second-year back, added 50 receiving yards on three receptions.
But it was the passing game where the Giants shined. A week after taking a lot of criticism for missing his deep shots, Jones connected on Sunday.
He finished 2-for-2 on passes that traveled 20-plus yards in the air, both of which went to veteran receiver Darius Slayton on the same drive. He hit Slayton down the near sideline for a 41-yard gain before connecting with Slayton again on a 30-yard score three plays later.
DJ LAUNCHES TO SLAYTON 🚀
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Ei9YalCAPD
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 6, 2024
That Jones was so productive Sunday without Nabers, who had a league-high target share of 38.2 percent coming into the game, is encouraging. It’s even more encouraging that Jones keeps stringing together quality games. Over the past four weeks, Jones has completed 67.6 percent of passes, thrown for 952 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception while taking only seven sacks. Jones’ 0.18 EPA/dropback during that stretch (Weeks 2-5) ranked sixth in the league entering “Sunday Night Football.” Even with his abysmal Week 1 factored in, Jones is 15th in the NFL in EPA/dropback (0.04).
“It’s never been easy for him, but everything we’ve asked him to do, he does it the very best he can do it,” coach Brian Daboll said. “He’s played some good football here. We’re going to need him to continue to do that.”
It’s been and up-and-down start for New York, now 2-3, but the Giants offense has looked better each game and this week at least, the final score reflected that.
“I feel like I’m a better player than I was then,” Jones said when asked if he feels he’s back to his 2022 playoff level. “I’m a better player every week. That’s what you’re always striving for. I get comparing to ’22 or years past or whatever that — I don’t know how productive that really is. Just focus on getting better right now and being the best I can be week to week.”
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Sign Up
That’s a storyline you can always count on with Jones.
(Photo: Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images)
Sports
Orioles’ Craig Albernaz says he must eat baby food for weeks after foul ball to face leads to 7 fractures
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz has seven fractures in his orbital area as well as a broken jaw after taking a foul ball to the face, but he remains in the dugout with his squad.
However, Albernaz has one big change to his daily routine over the next month or so. He needs to eat baby food.
The injury occurred on Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as the foul ball came whipping toward the Orioles’ dugout and hit Albernaz square on the right side of his face. But he was back at Camden Yards on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after suffering his multiple facial injuries.
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz looks on before an MLB game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill., on April 8, 2026. (Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire)
Reports from Baltimore state that he has a visible bruise on the right side of his face, and that he will need to consume baby food for the next six weeks as his face heals.
“This is what we’re here for,” Albernaz said to reporters, per the Baltimore Banner. “We’re here for the players. We have a game. I’m physically able to be here, so let’s go.… If my jaw was wired shut, I’d still be here.”
ORIOLES MANAGER CRAIG ALBERNAZ TAKES LINE DRIVE TO FACE IN TERRIFYING SCENE
Albernaz said he felt “pretty good” considering the circumstances from Monday night’s foul ball off the bat of one of his own, Jeremiah Jackson.
“Ball hit me pretty flush in the cheek, but I feel good,” he added. “Luckily, no surgery. I think all in all, it was at least seven fractures in my cheek area, orbital, and then a broken jaw. But luckily, it doesn’t have to be wired. No surgery. I just have to eat baby food for six weeks.”
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz stands on the field before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., on Apr. 10, 2026. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)
Albernaz, like many managers, was standing at the top of the dugout steps when Jackson was late to a pitch that shot immediately toward his teammates and coaches. It’s an unfortunate situation for Albernaz, but the first-time MLB manager is clearly showing his grit and resilience for his squad.
They also showed it for him on Monday night, as they were trailing at that point in the game. However, the Orioles rallied to win the game 9-7.
A lot of that had to do with Jackson, who bashed two home runs, including a grand slam in the victory.
“I hit, and then I kind of saw Alby holding his face,” Jackson told reporters. “My heart kind of dropped. I was able to see him afterward and see he was doing OK.… Knowing he was OK helped. It made me feel a little bit better. I’m just happy he’s doing OK and in good spirits.”
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz talks to media in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 8, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Orioles’ win keeps them tied with the New York Yankees atop the AL East standings at 9-7.
Albernaz will continue to lead the way in the dugout moving forward, even if his diet does have to change.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Sports
NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigns after photos published of her and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel
NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from The Athletic days after the New York Post’s Page Six published photos of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel interacting at an Arizona resort.
The photos appear to show Russini and Vrabel holding hands, hugging and sitting a hot tub and a swimming pool. In the April 7 article that accompanied the photos in the Post’s Page Six, Russini and Vrabel — both of whom are married to other people — gave statements denying anything inappropriate was happening between them.
The article also included a statement from Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, who expressed full support of Russini and said the photos “are misleading and lack essential context.” The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, reported days later that the digital sports outlet would conduct an investigation into the matter.
Russini submitted her letter of resignation to Ginsberg on Tuesday, then posted it on X. In it, Russini states she has “no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini wrote. “When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks. … Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
The New York Times confirmed Russini’s resignation but declined to comment further for this article.
Page Six wrote Tuesday that it received a statement from Ginsberg following Russini’s resignation.
“When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns,” Ginsberg wrote, according to Page Six, “but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter.”
But as “additional information emerged,” Ginsberg wrote, according to Page Six, “new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.” Ginsberg’s statement did not elaborate on the “new questions.”
The investigation is ongoing, according to Page Six.
Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where her roles included “SportsCenter” anchor and NFL analyst and insider. Vrabel was a three-time Super Bowl champion as a Patriots linebacker and was head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023 before returning to New England as head coach last season.
In Page Six’s initial article last week, Russini said the photos of her and Vrabel “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.” Vrabel said in the same article: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sports
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz takes line drive to face in terrifying scene
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was involved in a terrifying moment during the team’s victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
Albernaz was struck by a line drive off the bat of Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson in the fifth inning. The ball hit the manager’s left cheek and he left to be looked at by the team’s medical staff.
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz talks to media in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 8, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)
Albernaz briefly returned to the game after Jackson hit a grand slam to help the Orioles to the 9-7 win.
“He’s doing good. Just as a precaution, he’s going to get it scanned,” Orioles bench coach Donnie Ecker said.
Jackson said he had a sunken feeling when he saw Albernaz in pain after the errant liner.
“I hit and then I kind of saw Alby holding his face. My heart kind of dropped,” Jackson said. “I was able to see him afterward and see he was doing OK.”
AVALANCHE COACH TAKES PUCK TO THE FACE, WILL MISS FINAL REGULAR-SEASON GAMES
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz stands on the field before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., on Apr. 10, 2026. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)
“Knowing he was OK helped. It made me feel a little bit better,” Jackson added. “I’m just happy he’s doing OK and in good spirits.”
Albernaz and Jackson embraced after the infielder hit the big home run in the sixth inning.
“That was awesome,” Jackson said of the impromptu embrace from his manager. “You never want to hurt anybody, and Alby’s awesome. It sucked. But he wore it well and he’s in good spirits so it made me feel better.”
Albernaz is in his first year as Baltimore’s manager. He served as a bench coach and assistant manager for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 and 2025.
Baltimore Orioles’ Jeremiah Jackson rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore on April 13, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Baltimore improved to 9-7 with the win and are tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
-
Atlanta, GA1 week ago1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
-
Georgia1 week agoGeorgia House Special Runoff Election 2026 Live Results
-
Arkansas4 days agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Pennsylvania1 week agoParents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Pennsylvania zoo
-
Milwaukee, WI1 week agoPotawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in rooftop HVAC system
-
Ohio12 hours ago‘Little Rascals’ star Bug Hall arrested in Ohio
-
Austin, TX7 days agoABC Kite Fest Returns to Austin for Annual Celebration – Austin Today
-
World1 week agoZelenskyy warns US-Iran war could divert critical aid from Ukraine