O, no! Banged up Blue running out of players

INSTEAD of going after kicking nets, perhaps Odell Beckham Jr. will get the chance to hit someone as a safety.

Giants head coach Ben McAdoo wouldn’t rule it out, as injuries have gotten so bad with Big Blue he is already working out offensive players on defense in Week 4.

“Never say never,” McAdoo said on Thursday. “A bunch of guys stepped in today.”

Beckham later said he was not one of the offensive players working out as a safety, but smiled when it was suggested to him.

“I wouldn’t mind hitting somebody,” said Beckham, who added he last played defense in the Pro Bowl. “There’s a lot less rules on defense.”

While Beckham likely won’t be lining up on defense, injuries have become a serious problem for the Giants, which is something they hoped to avoid after being decimated last season.

The newest problems are in the secondary and backfield.

Cornerbacks Dominique RodgersCromartie (groin), Eli Apple (hamstring) and safeties Nat Berhe (concussion) and Darian Thompson (foot) did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

Andrew Adams, a practice player signed last week who committed a costly penalty on a blocked punt against Washington, is likely going to line up next to Landon Collins, who said he “couldn’t even tell you” what to expect from Adams.

“He is agile, he is quick, he is fast. He knows what he is doing and he is assertive. I can tell you that much,” Collins said.

Meanwhile, the Giants backfield is also clouded with uncertainty.

Bobby Rainey is expected to take over as the pass-catching back after Shane Vereen was placed on the IR this week with a triceps injury.

Rashad Jennings, who was inactive last week against Washington with a thumb injury, was limited in practice on Thursday.

“I’m always going to want to be out there no matter what,” Jennings said. “But obviously we got to do what’s best for the team and do what’s best for myself too. I’m going to do everything I can to get back out there.”

Should Jennings be unable to go, the Giants will turn to Orleans Darkwa, who rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in their Week 3 loss to Washington.

“Obviously, my goal at the end of the day is to be a key contributor to the offense,” Darkwa said earlier in the week. “I would like to be the starter. That’s my goal and what I work for. You build off of that. I don’t know what’s going to happen going into Monday, but my mentality and preparation doesn’t change. I’m going to make sure I’m ready for it.”

Whatever is determined on Monday, Jennings remains confident in his fellow running backs to fill the void.

“Every single back in our running back room is capable of getting the job done,” Jennings said. “There’s no question about that. I’ve said that from day one. I think we did a good job. They understood the offensive system and how we were going to attack the (Washington) defense. They plugged in and made plays along the way. Hats off to our offensive line and receivers blocking down field. They made some big plays.”