Ximines may be X-factor for ‘D’

Giants third-round pick Oshane Ximines batted down a Daniel Jones pass in 11-on-11 drills, and the edge rusher from Old Dominion also beat first-team left tackle Nate Solder with a swift move in individuals, to highlight Sunday’s first 90-plus degree day (92 to be exact) of training camp.

If Ximines, 24, can be a consistent factor, the 6-4, 253pounder could be the key to turning an underrated pass rushing roster into a deeper and more formidable group.

Jones, running the second-team offense, hit wideout Bennie Fowler for a touchdown in redzone drills and also found Alonzo Russell on another intermediate throw to the outside.

More of the rookie QB’s passes hit the ground than in the previous couple days, and he threw a pass that corner Antonio Hamilton jumped and should have intercepted though it fell incomplete.

Still, the overall return on Jones’ start to camp has been positive. He’s thrown good deep balls, and head coach Pat Shurmur said he likes how he’s handled traffic in the pocket.

“I think he has made some strong throws,” Shurmur said Sunday. “There were a couple of times (Satur)day in the blitz drills where the rush got on him a little bit, and he was able to snap it off and make pretty much an all-arm throw, which you’re looking for.”

Shurmur acknowledged it’s easier for a quarterback to keep his eyes downfield this early in camp because “they know they’re not getting hit.”

Reggie White Jr., an undrafted receiver from Monmouth, had a strong practice, including a leaping catch on a deep ball from Alex Tanney.

Eli Manning’s first-team wide receivers continued to be Golden Tate, Bennie Fowler and Cody Latimer. The Giants also worked on three-tight end sets, and Evan Engram did more than he had on Saturday after basically not practicing at all on Friday to manage his workload.

The first-team offense’s operation was much cleaner than

it had been on Saturday, which included a couple botched snaps, dropped passes and a lot of defensive players in the backfield.

“There were mistakes upfront, obviously,” Shurmur said Sunday of Saturday’s practice. “I mean, they competed. It was a little sloppier than I would have liked to have seen, but that’s part of it.”

Shurmur made sure to call Monday his players’ “mandated day off ” to remind everyone there would be practice if it were his call. They will be back for their fifth practice of camp Tuesday afternoon in front of the fans.

MANAGING PEPPERS

Michael Thomas predominantly lined up as the firstteam defense strong safety on Sunday, spelling Jabrill Peppers. The Giants said they were simply managing Peppers’ workload, and he did participate in a couple sessions, including on kick returns.

Solder’s reps also continue to taper off each practice midway through. This appears to be a steady progression bringing him back from offseason ankle surgery to make sure he is ready for Week 1.

INJURY LIST

Rookie offensive tackle George Asafo-Adjei, a seventhround pick out of Kentucky, is in the concussion protocol and did not practice Sunday. “Big George,” as he’s called, had slipped in for first-team reps at both tackle spots the prior two practices, spelling Nate Solder and Mike Remmers.

Undrafted rookie Mark McLaurin, who’d left Saturday’s practice injured, sustained a fracture in his right foot, the team said.

Second-team corner Sam Beal sat out a second straight practice, and Shurmur clarified his has “a groin and a hamstring.” Third-team corner Henre Toliver (undisclosed) missed a third straight practice. Reserve receiver Brittan Golden (groin) sat out a second straight practice.

Sterling Shepard remains out indefinitely with his broken left thumb, though he’s continuing to work in individuals.