Engram seeking berth in sweet 16
After suffering multiple injuries and missing a third of last season, Evan Engram has a personal slogan for 2019.
“I want to play 16 games,” the Giants tight end said before training camp practice on Thursday.
“That’s my mindset coming into this year. There’s definitely a responsibility that I have to take off the field in order to make that happen. There’s injuries and things you can’t control coming off the field, but there’s also things you can control to keep your body in proper shape and stay healthy.
“Sixteen games is my motto this year. I know what it takes to keep myself in 16 games, and it’s up to me to hit the ground running.”
After being drafted in the first round out of Ole Miss in 2017, Engram delivered an impressive rookie campaign, hauling in 64 passes for 722 yards and six touchdowns. Last year, Engram played in only 11 games, and his numbers were way down — 45 catches, 577 yards, three scores.
But Engram shrugged off his poor start last season to emerge down the stretch. Over the final four games, he tallied 22 catches and 320 yards, averaging a whopping 14.6 yards per reception. He closed the season with five catches and 81 yards plus a touchdown against the Cowboys.
The Giants are facing a number of passcatching questions already, as Corey Coleman’s torn ACL will cost him the season, Sterling Shepard has a fractured thumb that has his Week 1 in jeopardy and Golden Tate is facing a four-game suspension to begin the year. Engram’s role, already important with Odell Beckham Jr. now in Cleveland, has become only more vital.
“We’re pleased with where he’s at,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “He’s working on himself and getting himself ready for Week 1. I think he will be able to build on what he did a year ago. What really held him back was those injuries he dealt with last year. When he was there, he actually looked pretty productive. ... Had he stayed out there for all 16 games, I think he would’ve had big numbers.”