Engram back, eyeing return vs. Falcons
It did not help the Giants anemic offense that one of their main playmakers, tight end Evan Engram, missed the past three games with a sprained knee.
He nearly was able to play in the 34-13 loss to the Eagles, but was held back because his knee was not quite ready. Engram was on the field for Tuesday’s light practice and it will be all systems go for his return at Atlanta on Monday night.
“It felt really good, felt a lot more confident on it,’’ Engram said after practice. “Was able to kinda push through and not nurse it as much and try to gain more confidence in it. I was able to do that and I’m excited for the rest of the week.’’
Linebackers Olivier Vernon and Connor Barwin and left tackle Nate Solder did not work on Tuesday.
“There is just some game wear and tear from last week,’’ coach Pat Shurmur said. “No, I don’t have any concerns as of now.’’
Tight end Rhett Ellison missed Thursday’s loss with a foot injury, but is expected back this week.
The Giants came off their mini-break and made a series of roster moves, none of which will shake the core of a team that is 1-5.
They signed one player from outside the organization, wide receiver Bennie
Fowler, and two players off their practice squad, linebacker Ukeme Eligwe and cornerback Grant Haley.
Three players were removed from the roster: Receiver Cody Latimer (hamstring) and linebacker
Ray-Ray Armstrong (concussion) were put on injured reserve and cornerback Donte Deayon was waived.
Fowler, 27, had been out of the league after getting cut by the Bears and then the Patriots in September. He spent three seasons with the Broncos, during which he played 45 games and had 56 receptions for 696 yards and five touchdowns. He entered the league undrafted out of Michigan State.
Fowler is best known for making a two-point conversion catch in Super Bowl 50 on Peyton Manning’s final career pass. Fowler now is in line to become the fourth player to catch a pass from both Peyton and Eli Man
ning. Latimer became the third player to do so before he landed on IR.
Haley was with the Giants in training camp. He went undrafted out of Penn State and was a college teammate of Saquon Barkley. Eligwe was released by the Chiefs and had been on the Giants’ practice squad since Sept. 3.
Desperate for help in their return game, the Giants signed Khalif Ray
mond to their practice squad. Raymond played in six games for the Giants last season and was waived in early September. Defensive end Myles Humphrey and defensive back Ronald
Zamort were also signed to the practice squad.
DT R.J. McIntosh, the fifth-round draft pick from Miami, practiced for the first time with the Giants, He missed the work in the spring and all of training camp because of a physical ailment he preferred not to disclose. He remains on the reserve/non-football injury list and the Giants would like to get him on the field sometime this season.
“It felt great to be around the guys, and doing D-line drills with them,’’ McIntosh said. “Finally feeling like I’m a part of the team. I know I’m a part of the team. It’s just I wasn’t able to do anything besides working out and meetings. Physical work, I wasn’t able to do any football work. I’m excited, I feel blessed to finally have this opportunity.’’