Biggest Blue weapons still in question
The Giants’ first-team offense took a step in the right direction on Saturday against the Jets, but questions still surround the health of two of their biggest weapons. Head coach Ben McAdoo had no updates on injured wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall during a conference call on Sunday and did not have an answer on if either one will return to practice this week before Thursday’s preseason game against the Patriots.
“We’ll see. We’ll practice tomorrow and get up in the morning and see how they respond medically to the treatment they’re getting,” McAdoo said. “If they’re able to go, we’ll practice them.”
Beckham was not present for the game against the Jets as he rehabs his sprained ankle, while Marshall was on the sidelines nursing his injured shoulder.
It’s rather important for Marshall to be back on the practice field because it is his first season with the Giants and Eli Manning.
While Beckham already has an established rapport with Manning, Marshall still needs to build that chemistry. As the season creeps closer, it’s worth wondering if Marshall has gotten enough work in with his new quarterback for things to flow seamlessly when they take on the Cowboys in Week 1.
In the event that either is not ready, the Giants appear to have plenty of depth at the position.
Without Beckham, Marshall and Dwayne Harris, undrafted rookie Travis Rudolph took advantage of a chance to make his mark Saturday night.
Rudolph led the receivers with three receptions for 81 yards, including a 57-yard catch and run, snagging the ball away from Jets corner Darryl Roberts.
“That’s just an effort play,” Rudolph said after the game. “I feel like when the ball is in the air, it’s mine, so I have to go get it.”
McAdoo did not mention Rudolph by name, but the head coach sounded impressed by what he saw out of his wide receivers.
“We have some tight ends and receivers, even with the caliber of players we had out, who can get open,” McAdoo said. “We had some guys step up and take advantage of those opportunities.”
Still, Rudolph’s chance to make the team is going to be difficult.
Beckham, Marshall, Harris, Sterling Shepard and Tavarres King are all ahead of him on the depth chart, making the final receiving spot a battle between Rudolph and Roger Lewis Jr.
Special teams could be the deciding factor.
McAdoo said on Sunday he wants to see more out of his punt return team and Rudolph happens to be someone they want to see at that position.
“I’m just coming out and doing the best that I can do,” Rudolph said. “It’s all in God’s hands and it’s in Coach’s hands, so I’m just trying to go out and be who I can be.”
KICKIN’ IT UP A NOTCH
Don’t count Mike Nugent out yet.
The 35-year-old kicker, who at times has struggled in practice, nailed 50- and 54-yard field goals against the Jets as he pushed himself back into play for the starting kicking job.
Rookie Aldrick Rosas hit his only attempt from 24 yards.
INJURY NOTES
Jay Bromley and Duke Ihenaco both have knee sprains. … No update on Eli Apple (ankle) .... Evan Schwan sustained a fractured foot on a forced fumble sack on Christian Hackenberg in the fourth quarter that was blown dead by the refs because they wanted to review the play prior. The Giants waived Schwan and picked up cornerback Tay Glover-Wright, who was recently released by the Eagles.
“New York felt there was enough time to get the play stopped but the communication didn’t happen fast enough,” McAdoo said. “We ended up having a player get carted off the field on it, which is inexcusable, to have a play that doesn’t count, never existed, to have a player get hurt and carted off the field.”