Giants Practice Report: Thomas, Barkley, Jones Headline Lengthy Injury Report
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (neck), who said he had been feeling better after suffering a neck injury in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, was held out of practice Wednesday.
Head coach Brian Daboll, who on Monday had been optimistic about Jones's availability for Sunday night's game against the Bills, said that Jones was a little sorer when he reported for work on Wednesday than he had been earlier in the week but declined to provide any other specific detail regarding the nature of the injury other than to say Jones is "day-to-day" and that they'll take a decision on Jones up to the end of the week.
Tyrod Taylor, who had the wind knocked out of him last week, was set to take the first-team reps, with rookie Tommy DeVito, currently on the practice squad, to rotate in. Daboll also did not rule out adding another quarterback if doctors determine Jones will miss significant time.
The Giants offensive line depth, already on shaky ground, took a further hit. Besides left tackle Andrew Thomas being on his way to missing his fifth straight game with a hamstring strain suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys, center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), interior offensive lineman Shane Lemieux (groin), and offensive tackle Matt Peart (shoulder) were all kept out of Wednesday's practice.
Thomas, who last tried to practice two weeks ago before realizing that his hamstring still wasn't quite right, has been a huge loss for the Giants offensive line. The team has plugged Joshua Ezeudu in for Thomas, but the second-year player has had some rough sledding, particularly in the pass-blocking department.
The Giants, who added offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste to the practice squad and who are hosting La'El Collins for a workout after practice, are believed to be contemplating a change at left tackle.
Continuing the bleak health look on offense, running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) will continue to do more work in team drills as he inches closer to a return from a high ankle sprain suffered at the end of the Giants' Week 2 game against Arizona. Barkley was limited all last week but had no setbacks as the team continued to increase his workload each week, hoping to have him back for Sunday's game at Buffalo.
Tight end Darren Waller (groin) is back on the injury report for the first time since Week 1, when he was listed with a hamstring strain. Daboll, who at the time said they had planned for Waller to have veteran rest days as needed, said the tight end is day-to-day.
Among the other Giants who won't practice on Wednesday, according to Daboll, are linebackers Micah McFadden (ankle) and Azeez Ojulari (ankle) and wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (knee).
Jones, Robinson, Waller Thomas, Schmitz, Peart, and Ojulari were not present at the start of Wednesday's practice and were presumably inside receiving treatment. McFadden was on the field but didn't do anything during the part open to the media. Barkley didn't do any drills during the part of practice open to the media.
Here is the Giants' full injury report, consisting of a season-high 14 players:
Did Not Participate in Practice
- QB Daniel Jones - Neck
- LB Micah McFadden - Ankle
- LB Azeez Ojulari - Ankle
- OL Matt Peart - Shoulder
- WR Wan’Dale Robinson - Knee
- OL John Michael Schmitz - Shoulder
- OL Andrew Thomas - Hamstring
- TE Darren Waller - Groin
Limited Participation in Practice
- DB Deonte Banks - Ankle
- RB Saquon Barkley - Ankle
- RB Gary Brightwell - Ankle
- DB Cor’Dale Flott - Ankle
- OL Shane Lemieux - Groin
- OL Marcus McKethan - Knee
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