OBJ works out without boot

Odell Beckham Jr. was in sneakers working in the Giants’ weight room Wednesday afternoon, the first time he’s been seen working out not wearing his boot over his broken left ankle. This is of course the normal progression of recovery from surgery for a broken ankle, but it’s encouraging nevertheless to see him taking steps at a low-point for the franchise.

Brandon Marshall also was doing work recovering from his own ankle surgery. Both suffered season-ending injuries in a Week 5 home loss to the Chargers.

Steve Spagnuolo oversaw his first practice as interim head coach Wednesday in East Rutherford after Monday’s firings of GM Jerry Reese and coach Ben McAdoo.

The Giants are 2-10 and will host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Eli Manning is going back in as the starting QB.

Beckham has not done an interview since his injury and has not commented on the firings, normal protocol for a player on injured reserve. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to hear Beckham’s opinion when he does speak.

Beckham is entering the final year of his rookie deal and negotiations on an extension are expected this offseason.

NO FAN LOVE FROM MCADOO

Two days after being fired as head coach and carrying a 2-10 record this season, Ben McAdoo released a statement thanking the players and organization, saying he enjoyed every day of his tenure. There was no mention of the fans, though. “It was a privilege and an honor to serve as the head coach of the New York Giants and be a member of the organization for four years,” he said. “I thank the Mara family, the Tisch family, and Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin for taking a chance on a first time offensive coordinator and enabling me to take an important step in my career. My family and I enjoyed every day of my tenure with the Giants, thanks in large part to the commitment of everybody in the organization.

“I particularly want to thank the entire coaching staff for their dedication and hard work. I would be remiss if I did not thank the support staff who are often underappreciated but vital to the success of any football team. Finally, I will always appreciate having had the chance to coach so many outstanding players. As I have said many times, they are men of talent, and I believe in their integrity and character. I wish them and the entire organization success in the future.”

SHEPARD HAMSTRUNG

The ailments just keep piling up for Sterling Shepard. The Giants wide receiver did not participate in practice on Monday and was seen on a stationary bike instead as he now deals with a hamstring injury.

Shepard has been banged up all season, missing four games due to various injuries.

Shepard sprained his ankle in Week 5 against the Chargers and missed the next two games but then missed two more games last month due to migraines.

He returned to the field last week and played the whole game in the Giants’ 24-17 loss to the Raiders, but now he is uncertain about this Sunday against the Cowboys.

“Seems like things just keep happening right after another,” he said. “I don’t know, we’ll see.”

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (finger), CB Eli Apple (hip/back), LB Jonathan Casillas (neck/wrist), RT Chad Wheeler (concussion) also did not practice.

Justin Pugh, who has missed the last three games with a back injury, continued to be limited in practice.

RB Wayne Gallman (hip), LB B.J. Goodson (ankle) and DT Damon Harrison (elbow) were also limited.