Toney could play ‘significant’ Role in Giants offense, even if reps are limited
K-T sounds like he’s a G-O. Giants first-round pick Kadarius Toney didn’t play a single preseason snap this summer. He didn’t practice much due to COVID-19 symptoms and a hamstring injury. And that same injury kept him limited in Wednesday’s practice.
But the shifty wide receiver said “I’m good” and there is no reason he shouldn’t be ready to play in Sunday’s Week 1 opener against the Broncos.
“Nah, I mean, unless you wanna go make one up,” the snarky Toney said Wednesday. “I’m just looking forward to going out there and impacting (the game) as much as I can as soon as I can. Because I just want to win right now.”
Word out of Denver is that No. 9 overall pick Patrick Surtain II, a starting Broncos corner, has been as advertised in Vic Fangio’s defense.
“He’s very talented,” Fangio said. “He’s got good size, he’s got good football sense. We’ve had to teach him three different positions, and he’s accepted that challenge and done well with it. You try not to do that with a rookie, but his makeup allows him to do that. We’re very happy to have him.”
By comparison, Toney, the Giants’ No. 20 overall pick, has been a complete unknown due to his extended absence from the field.
Still, Joe Judge has worked the rookie in rotations at kick returner and slot receiver as he has ramped up. And the coach said Wednesday that “it is realistic for (Toney) to have a significant role” against Denver, even if his snaps are limited.
“In terms of significant, I look at that not so much as volume as production,” Judge said. “I’d say it is realistic for him to have a significant role based on how he practices this week. We’ve seen his health improve. We’ve seen him do a lot with the team. He’s handled the installs very well for a player who hasn’t seen preseason games or a lot of
significant time.”
Behind the scenes, receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and offensive quality control coach Russ Callaway have been tutoring Toney on the wrinkles of the offense and his role.
Veteran receiver Kenny Golladay said he’s tried to take the first-rounder under his wing, as well.
“Just trying to keep him on a good track and try to keep his mind clear,” Golladay said. “As a rookie it’s kinda hard coming in with injuries. I dealt with it a little bit my rookie year. And I know how frustrating it could be. You almost want to rush it and get yourself back out there. So I kind of make sure his head’s on straight and tell him everything’s gonna be all right and we have time on our side.”
EBNER BACK IN FOLD
The Giants re-signed special teams captain Nate Ebner, 32, on Tuesday, and sent wide receiver C.J. Board to the practice squad. Ebner was on the practice field Wednesday with the team.
Ebner had offseason surgery for a Week 12 knee injury. The plan was always for Ebner to re-sign after playing for the U.S. Olympic rugby team in Tokyo, but his body didn’t hold up during tryouts. So he bowed out and missed Giants training camp but focused on getting healthy for the NFL regular season.
The club signed OT Korey Cunningham to the practice squad, too, and released S Jordyn Peters and G Kenny Wiggins from that group. They also terminated the contract of LB Todd Davis, who retired last month, and waived WR Austin Mack with an injury settlement.
CAP SPACE CRUNCH
The Giants discouragingly had to restructure the contracts of wideout Sterling Shepard, 28, and safety Logan Ryan, 30, just to fit under the salary cap. This pushed more money into 2022, where the cap is already tight, for two players extended in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Kicking cap space down the road is not optimal. Doing so on a rebuilding team with veteran players who were recently extended isn’t a good sign, either. The Giants also restructured the contract of corner Josh Jackson, 24, who was recently acquired from the Packers.
LAUNDRY LIST OF INJURED
Tight end Evan Engram (left calf) was the only active roster player who didn’t practice Wednesday. But a ton of guys were limited: Saquon Barkley (right knee), WRs Kenny Golladay (left hamstring pull) and Toney (hamstring), OT Andrew Thomas (left ankle), TEs Kyle Rudolph (foot) and Kaden Smith (knee), CBs Adoree’ Jackson (left ankle sprain) and Jackson (calf), DT Danny Shelton (neck) and LB Justin Hilliard (foot).
CHUBB BANGED UP
Denver edge rusher Bradley Chubb (ankle) was a notable absence from Wednesday’s Broncos practice. Fangio admitted it was bothering Chubb even more than it had last week .... The Giants protected three players on their practice squad this week: TEs Ryan Izzo and Chris Myarick and DT David Moa. One or both of the tight ends could be activated for Sunday’s game with Engram unlikely to play and Smith’s status unclear, too.