Engram set for surgery
Giants tight end Evan Engram said Wednesday that he will undergo surgery on his left foot Friday morning. Engram, 25, said there is a “100%” chance he’ll be ready for the start of his fourth NFL training camp. But he was still crushed that Week 9 against Dallas was his final game of 2019.
The team placed him on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday after a Lisfranc-like sprain didn’t heal as hoped through an initial 2-to-4 week recovery window.
“It’s tough,” he said. “Definitely want to be out there with the team. I was having some success, and we were doing good things as a football team. … I can’t wait to attack this process and get back to the player that I know I am and the player that I know I’m going to be for this team.”
Engram caught 44 passes for 467 yards and three TDs playing eight of the Giants’ first nine games. After the injury against the Cowboys, the plan was to heal the sprain through rest, with his foot in a boot, and gradual rehab.
But Engram’s game requires hard cutting and planting, and the injury didn’t improve as he sought a steady climb back to playing in games. He had the option to try to heal it without surgery through the offseason, but he’d rather not risk missing part of 2020.
Engram also was awarded the 2019 George Young Good Guy Award on Friday by the Giants’ chapter of the Professional Football Writers’ Association. His honesty and availability in a difficult 2019 season were appreciated.
SILLS AND WILL
David Sills got the call-up this week from the practice squad to the Giants’ active roster to make his NFL debut. Coincidentally, it happened the same week that his West Virginia college quarterback, Panthers rookie Will Grier, got the nod to make his first NFL start for Carolina.
“That is very interesting,” Sills, 23, said with a smile. “I called him yesterday, talked a little bit. He’s excited for me. I’m excited for him. I told him he’s got a lot to live up to after Drew Brees, because (the Panthers) play the Colts and Brees was 29of-30 (against Indianapolis on Monday night). So I said, ‘You got a tough little following act.’ But he’s excited to get out there and show what he can do.”
ELLISON PRACTICES FULL
Tight end Rhett Ellison was a full practice participant on Wednesday for the first time since his Week 10 concussion against the Jets. He’s been slowly working his way back for five weeks, including the bye, missing four games.
GAULDEN BUMPED UP
The Giants signed defensive back Rashaan Gaulden to their active roster off the practice squad to fill the slot vacated by Janoris Jenkins’ release. Gaulden has played in 24 games the last two seasons with the Panthers, including nine this year. The team also signed defensive end Kevin Wilkins, of Rutgers and Mahwah, N.J., to their practice squad.