Who Is Giants' Emergency Quarterback?

On Thursday, the New York Giants won their preseason game, taking down the Detroit Lions 14-3 at MetLife Stadium.

In the process, they temporarily lost backup quarterback Drew Lock. Starting in Daniel Jones’ place, Lock struggled and took a flurry of hits before eventually leaving with ailments to his oblique and hip.

With only Jones and Tommy DeVito left on the roster, many pivoted to the open market to look for a Band-Aid at backup quarterback, someone to help run practices and take over for DeVito at some point in the preseason.

Head coach Brian Daboll made it clear on Sunday that search will be fruitless – the Giants aren’t signing a quarterback.

According to Pat Leonard , Lock isn’t expected to practice this week. Instead, New York will lean on DeVito, give Jones some playing time in the preseason game, and ask tight end Tyree Jackson to take on emergency quarterback duties.

That final part of the plan isn’t as crazy as it sounds. Jackson has spent time competing for a spot on the bottom of the Giants’ roster and on Thursday was the featured tight end that on first glance resembled rookie Theo Johnson . However, Jackson was a three-year starter at quarterback for Buffalo in college.

He totaled 6,999 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions before his professional hopes relied on a position change. He has the physical tools to check the box, too. Jackson frequently showcased a howitzer, lofting high-trajectory passes far downfield. Given his switch to tight end, it’s not surprising that he has standout measurables, too. He came in at 6-foot-7, 249 pounds during the pre-draft cycle with a 4.59-second 40-yard dash to match.

Related: 'In the Lab!' DeVito Praises Gray After Giants' Preseason Win

Unfortunately for Jackson, the rest of his game made professional quarterbacking unlikely. But the upside at tight end may have to wait for Lock to get healthy.

Jackson is more than qualified to be an emergency quarterback should the situation call for it, and in the event DeVito exits Saturday’s preseason affair, Jackson shouldn’t produce meaningfully different results from whichever camp body New York would’ve pivoted to instead.