Vernon won’t play in Week 1
Olivier Vernon will have to wait at least another week to be unleashed in the Giants’ aggressive new defense.
The edge-rusher was officially ruled out for Sunday’s opener against the Jaguars, still not ready to play as he battles a high ankle sprain he suffered in an Aug. 26 practice.
“We’ll just worry about it week to week,” coach Pat Shurmur said Friday when asked if he’s concerned about the injury lingering into Week 2. “He’s making great progress, so we’ll just have to see.”
Rookie Lorenzo Carter and veteran Connor Barwin are expected to fill in for Vernon, who did not practice all week. Carter was limited in practice Thursday by an illness — “He must have had the fish,” Shurmur quipped — but was a full participant Friday and will be ready to go Sunday.
“Obviously you’d like to have OV on the field,” Shurmur said. “[Carter] was an outstanding pass rusher in college. I think he’s improved in that area through training camp. He’s going to get his opportunity Sunday.”
➤ First-year offensive line coach Hal Hunter said he is expecting a “great performance” from his revamped unit Sunday, but that came with a caveat.
“It’s not going to be a final [product] on Sunday,” Hunter said Friday. “It’s going to be a process that builds through the season.”
The unit had a tough time run blocking in the preseason, but Hunter said the key is establishing a rhythm between the line and the running back.
“The hardest thing to do in the game of football is run the football,” Hunter said. “I think they feel like they’ve all got something to prove.”
➤ Eli Apple will finally get the chance to turn the page on a forgettable 2017, which ended in a team suspension, when the 2018 season kicks off Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to being out there, it was something that was taken away from me last year,” the cornerback said. “We’re definitely on a mission to go out and do what we can.” ➤ Linebacker Tae Davis (hamstring) also has been ruled out for Sunday, while the Jaguars had no injuries. … Two days after being a late cut from the 53-man roster, the Giants signed former Rutgers RB Robert Martin to the practice squad Friday and released DT Josh Banks.