Apple absence no mystery to Ben

Cornerback Eli Apple was not at practice on Wednesday and not listed on the initial injury report. But coach Ben McAdoo clarified Apple had been excused for a “personal reason,” that McAdoo “knew about it ahead of time,” and that he expects Apple back with the team on Thursday.

Apple’s absence initially raised eyebrows because when a similar situation arose with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie last Wednesday, it turned out the veteran corner walked out of the facility on McAdoo, drawing a suspension for Sunday’s 23-10 win in Denver.

The Giants also had two D-backs retire on them in the preseason: Jadar Johnson for health concerns and Valentino Blake for unknown reasons.

Apple, the Giants’ 2016 first-round pick, was one of several disgruntled defensive backs after the Week 5 home loss to the Chargers, benched for the first three series for reportedly talking back to a coach in practice. But Apple bounced back Sunday in Denver to play his best game of the season.

He allowed only five receptions for 38 yards on 10 targets, with a pass deflection and a fumble recovery on a Janoris Jenkins strip of Demaryius Thomas.

ELI TO EVAN

Eli Manning made it a point to keep the ball from his three-yard TD pass to Evan Engram in Denver. But why? It wasn’t a milestone for Manning. “It was for Evan,” Manning said. While Engram already had caught his first career NFL touchdown in Week 2 against Detroit, the first-round pick is trying to savor every last score of 2017.

“I’m trying to collect them for my whole rookie year,” Engram said.

So that was the veteran QB looking out for one of his new top targets.

INJURY REPORT

Eight players either sat out practice or were limited with injuries. C Weston Richburg (concussion), OL John Jerry (tooth) and LBs Jonathan Casillas (neck) and Calvin Munson (quad) did not practice. WR Sterling Shepard (ankle), RB Paul Perkins (ribs), DE Olivier Vernon (ankle) and S Landon Collins (ankle) were limited.