Big Blue lose guard Lemieux for season
Shane Lemieux’s season is over, pretty much before it started.
The second-year guard had surgery Wednesday to his left patellar tendon at the Hospital for Special Surgery. The Giants said he is expected to miss the rest of the season. Given the nature of the injury, Lemieux will not be ready until 2022.
Lemieux has dealt with this injury since the summer. He missed time in training camp, but was able to start the regular-season opener against the Broncos. He made it through just 17 snaps, though, then was placed on injured reserve, meaning he had to sit out the next three games. Upon further evaluation, it was decided Lemieux needed surgery.
The Giants replaced him at left guard with Nick Gates, moving Gates from center, but Gates went down in the second quarter in Washington with a fractured lower leg, ending his season. The offensive line configuration currently has Billy Price at center and Ben Bredeson at left guard. Price (Bengals) and Bredeson (Ravens) were acquired in trades late in August.
Lemieux, 24, was a 2020 fifth-round draft pick in 2020. He started nine games as a rookie. The Giants admired his toughness and run-blocking, traits they will have to wait until next season to see once again.
Whatever you do, do not classify what went down between receiver Kenny Golladay and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett on the sideline last Thursday night at Washington as a fight.
Golladay was seen yelling in the direction of Garrett and Daniel Jones in the third quarter of the 30-29 loss. Golladay admitted he was directing his frustration at Garrett.
“I’d like to clarify, to me, speaking with emotion and fighting are two completely different things,’’ coach Joe Judge said Wednesday. “Maybe it’s because of where I grew up and how it is. I talk with my hands a lot, I raise my voice a lot, maybe I don’t overreact sometimes to volume.”
There were some new names added to the injury report. Golladay (hip) was limited in practice, as was S Logan Ryan (hamstring). Also limited: RB Saquon Barkley (knee), TE Evan Engram (calf) and TE Kaden Smith (knee). Three players did not practice: Ebner (quad), LB Cam Brown (hamstring) and DL Austin Johnson (illness).
The Giants in the offseason signed Jonotthan Harrison, a former Jets starter, believing he could serve as a backup at both center and guard. Harrison did not make the roster, but now he is back. He was signed Wednesday to the practice squad, along with offensive tackle Foster Sarell. The Giants lost a practice squad tackle, Jackson Barton ,on Tuesday when the Raiders signed him. RB Dexter Williams was removed from the practice squad.