Sideline salute
Washington players raise fists in protest
FOUR Washington players raised their fists for the entire national anthem Sunday before facing the Giants at MetLife Stadium: wide receiver DeSean Jackson, tight end Niles Paul, wide receiver Rashad Ross and cornerback Greg Toler.
“We felt like there’s a lot going on out there in our country now,” Jackson said after the game, via the Washington Post. “We feel like we have an opportunity to be seen and be heard. We just want to support our people in a time of crisis like this where you have a lot of tragic situations, a lot of people losing their family members due to senseless killings by these police officers.”
No Giants player protested during the anthem. Running back Rashad Jennings said this week he expected all his teammates to stand, and the team followed through on that decision.
Coach Ben McAdoo has said on multiple occasions he respects his players' right to freedom of expression but is opposed to any of his players protesting during the national anthem. He prefers for his players to find a way to protest, in his words, “away from the facility.”
DISAPPEARING ‘D’
A remade Giants defense that had limited big plays and allowed two total touchdowns through its first two weeks collapsed under Kirk Cousins’ passing attack, allowing a 44-yard TD pass to DeSean Jackson and a 55-yarder to Jamison Crowder that included one of linebacker Jonathan Casillas’ missed tackles.
“We’ve got to be a great tackling team to have success,” Casillas said. “I know personally I didn't do that.”
Cousins, maligned after throwing three interceptions through the two previous weeks, completed 21 of 35 passes for 296 yards and two TDs for a 106.4 quarterback rating.
“In this league that’s all you can do, just keep playing no matter what’s happened in the past,” Cousins said. several
CAN’T GET A GRIP
Jennings (left thumb, wrist) did not play, giving Shane Vereen the start at running back. However, the dynamic back known for his receiving prowess, who had fumbled in Week 2 in New Orleans, struggled again with ball security and fumbled twice, losing one late in the first half.
Vereen (11 carries, 67 yards), who punched in a 1-yard touchdown for the Giants’ first score, was benched for much of the second half in favor of Orleans Darkwa, who finished with 10 carries for 53 yards and a score.
SOUNDS OF SILENCE
Rookie receiver Sterling Shepard declined to speak to the media after his third career NFL game, just seconds after veteran Victor Cruz smiled and greeted questions gracefully. Vereen and defensive end Jason PierrePaul also declined to talk.
INJURY REPORT
Rookie corner Eli Apple (hamstring) left in the second quarter, and veteran corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) left in the third quarter, adding to an injury list that already included starters rookie free safety Darian Thompson (sprained left foot), right tackle Marshall Newhouse (calf) and Jennings.