OL Brett Jones played well coming in for injured Justin Pugh, a Philadelphia area native. Photo by TJ Engler ./ contrastphotography.com

EAST RUTHERFORD: Players in the NFL have a 100 percent chance of getting hurt at some point in a season, that is just the nature of the beast.

That is why of all four major sports in America, in pro football, if you are a backup, you will eventually get a chance to play and make an impact.

On the first play of the second quarter of the Eagles-Giants game at MetLife Stadium last Sunday, Big Blue’s starting guard Justin Pugh sprained his knee and was unable to return.

Head coach Ben McAdoo put second-year offensive lineman Brett Jones in the game for Pugh.

Jones, a Canadian with a total of 17 NFL snaps before that, was now staring across the line from the likes of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcer Cox and a highly-touted Eagles front seven who have been a nightmare for the Giants in recent years.

Jones did more than hold down the fort, while Big Blue’s rushing attack struggled, Eli Manning threw four TD passes and was sacked just once in the Giants 28-23 win over Philadelphia.

Not a bad debut for a 24-year old free agent out of the Canadian Football League.

Jones got the ultimate compliment for an offensive lineman after the game. Not a mention of him at the coach’s press conference about him coming in and playing well in a crucial NFC East game.

That seemed fine for the 6-foot-2, 318-pounder who played his college football for the Regina Rams, the U Sports team that represents the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

“That’s the most important part,” Jones said at a one-on-one at his locker after the game. “When you can come in, do your job and help the team get the win, that’s what I want to do. As a team, we were able to do that. So I am very happy.”

In recent years, the Eagles were able to get to Manning early and often, but Sunday, the Birds only registered one sack.

The Giants offensive line gave the two-time Super Bowl champion enough time to go 22 of 36 for 257 yards and the four scoring passes. He did throw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, but the Giants defense held on for the win.

“All the guys around me were doing a great job,” said Jones who was signed as a free agent in February of 2015 but missed the season because of a knee injury. “We work great as a unit. Those guys, they’re professionals, and when I got called, I knew they were going to give it their all and I was going to give my all. We just went out and performed.”

Manning though knows better that to overlook his line, even a backup. The 13-year veteran complimented Jones’ performance at his post-game press conference.

“I thought Brett stepped in there and played well,” Manning said. “He’s a smart guy, knows what he’s doing, been here a little bit so he’s played some center for us already this year so he knows how to play guard, he knows what he’s doing. I thought he came in and did well.”

Manning may be looking at the No. 69 on Jones’ back for a few more weeks.

McAdoo, on his Monday morning conference call, said Pugh may be out for a few weeks.

“Justin is going to miss some time, he has a knee sprain,” McAdoo said. “I don’t know how long at this point, but he’s going to miss a little bit of time.”

McAdoo was also asked about Jones.

“I thought Jonesie did a nice job when he went in there,” the coach said. “He played physical. He’s been playing more center for us but was ready to go in the ballgame at guard.”

McAdoo was asked why he went with Jones rather than opt to move Bobby Hart (6-4, 334) in there.

“I just think for where we are in the season and in the ballgame, that was the best fit for us at the time,” said McAdoo, who was then asked if he was going to stick with Jones now that he knows Pugh is out for a bit. “We’ll take a look at all of our options.”

Jones, The CFL’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2014, said he felt bad for Pugh, especially knowing he was from the Philadelphia area and wanted to beat the team he grew up following.

“Justin’s been looking forward to this all week,” Jones said. “He wanted to go out and prove some things. I’m glad we as a team could move forward on his goal and beating them. That was the main thing for him too as well.”

Jones said he could not help but be drawn into the emotions that come with playing the Eagles; the Giants long-time division rival.

“You could just feel the tension between the two teams,” Jones said. “It was cool t be a part of it. We have rivalries back home, but this definitely takes the cake.”

Follow Al Thompson on twitter @thompsoniii