Giants Deny Jerry Jones' Accusations That Players Faked Injuries
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Giants are denying an allegation from Dallas owner Jerry Jones that they faked injuries during a long touchdown drive by the Cowboys in New York's season-opening loss.
Jones said after Dallas' 36-31 victory Sunday night that "it was so obvious it was funny" when linebacker Dan Connor and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins went out on consecutive plays in the second quarter, stopping the clock each time.
Tony Romo and Jason Witten appeared to complain to officials while Jenkins was down. Witten caught a 15-yard scoring pass from Romo to finish the nine-play, 71-yard drive late in the first half.
Connor, who played for the Cowboys last year, didn't return because of what the team described as a "burner." Jenkins did return, and no injury update was given.
"It's absolutely not true," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Monday. "Both of those payers were injured. Connor never returned to the game. Cullen was in a position where he needed to regroup. That really wasn't orchestrated at all."
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Monday he had not gone to the league over the sequence.
"If somebody goes down, you have to respect what's going on with that player and make sure you handle it the right way," Garrett said. "The league has a good understanding of what you have to value in that kind of a situation, and they handle it well."
Giants safety Antrel Rolle said it was obvious Connor wasn't faking because he didn't return, and he said Jones should just be satisfied with beating New York in the opener for the second straight year.
The Giants had six turnovers, but still had a chance in the closing minutes because Eli Manning had 450 yards passing and four touchdowns, including three to Victor Cruz.
DOTTINO: GIANTS BEAT THEMSELVES IN DALLAS
Dallas had two defensive touchdowns, including a 49-yard interception return by Brandon Carr when the Giants were within six points in the final 2 minutes.
"Even with six turnovers, they were still scratching their heads at the end of the game, hoping, wishing for a play they did get at the end of the game," Rolle said. "I can care less what Jerry has to say. When we play those guys again, it will be a little different outcome."
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
