The touchdown pass Daniel Jones threw to Wayne Gallman on the opening drive of last Sunday’s victory over the Redskins? Well, it was not supposed to go the way it did.
Gallman was Jones’ fifth option on the play.
Fifth?
“You’re not really supposed to say that, because you really don’t get through five,’’ offensive coordinator Mike Shula said Thursday.
That Jones, a rookie in his second NFL start, was able to calmly scan the field, looking to his left, and went through four progressions before glancing to his right to spot Gallman wide open to his right adds to the growing legend that is all things Daniel Jones.
“The read was front side,’’ Shula said. “We had three receivers out to the front side, and there was another guy kind of trying to clear for us but basically got through it. They went to a zone coverage, and we had a route that’s OK against zone but a little bit better against man. First of all, the offensive line did a great job on the protection. He just got through his read and found the outlet to the opposite side of where we were throwing it.
“It’s pretty good,” Shula said. “Obviously, there were some other plays where he could have been better at. But yeah, that play right there was pretty good.’’
Asked if Jones had any business looking over to his right on the play, Shula laughed before answering.
“Not as a starting point, no,’’ Shula said. “Not on that play.’’
Guard Kevin Zeitler is playing through a shoulder issue. He that causes him to miss practice time but not one snap in games. Zeitler was held out of practice on Wednesday but was a full participant on Thursday.
“I think he’s uniquely tough,’’ coach Pat Shurmur said. “And I think that’s why he’s had such a good, long career. Playing offensive line is physical and demanding. Behind the scenes, he does everything in his power to get himself ready to play on Sunday.’’
LB Alec Ogletree (hamstring) did not practice for the second consecutive day and is on the way to missing his second straight game. With rookie Ryan Connelly out for the season with a torn ACL, it looks as if David Mayo will start again at inside linebacker, most likely alongside Tae Davis — presuming Davis is cleared out of the concussion protocol.
Connelly said he will have reconstructive surgery in a few weeks and is spending this time strengthening the muscles around his injured knee. He said the MRI exam showed a clean tear of the ACL and no additional damage which should lead to a faster recovery.
Three players were limited in practice: LB Lorenzo Carter (neck), Davis (concussion) and Gallman (neck). LT Nate Solder (neck) was a full participant.