Giants Still Missing Three Key Starters in Practice Ahead of Week 14 Game vs. Saints

The Giants could have a patchwork defense this weekend, thanks to injuries.

New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) runs out of the tunnel prior to the start of the game between the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. / Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

New York Giants inside linebacker Bobby Okereke (back), defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), and cornerback Deonte Banks (rib) all missed their second day of practice for the Giants on Thursday and are trending in the wrong direction.

Head coach Brian Daboll, who provided the update before the team’s practice Thursday, also said that quarterback Tommy DeVito (right forearm) is trending in the right direction and will be good to go for Sunday. 

However, Daboll announced on Wednesday that DeVito, who was initially named the starting quarterback after the team decided to bench now-former quarterback Daniel Jones following their Week 12 bye, would be the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Drew Lock, who got the start last week against the Dallas Cowboys in a 27-20 loss.

In other potentially positive news for the Giants, Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) and Evan Neal (hip) improved enough overnight to get in some limited practice reps on Thursday. 

Neal is believed to be in better shape injury-wise of the two, but Friday will be a big day for both regarding their statuses for Sunday's game against the Saints. If they can’t play, Joshua Ezeudu is expected to play left tackle, and Christopher Hubbard will play right tackle. 

With Nunez-Roches still ailing and Dexter Lawrence on injured reserve, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said that undrafted rookie free agent Elijah Chatman will see an uptick in his defensive snaps on Sunday. 

Chatman, who has primarily been deployed on third-down situations, has appeared in 12 games this season with one start, one quarterback knockdown, and a sack.

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New York Giants Injury Report

Player	Pos	Injury	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Status
Bobby Okereke	ILB	Back	DNP	DNP
Jermaine Eluemunor	OT	Quad	DNP	Limited
Rakeem Nunez-Roches	IDL	Neck	DNP	DNP
Evan Neal	OT	Hip	DNP	Limited
Deonte Banks	CB	Rib	DNP	DNP
D.J. Davidson	DL	Shoulder	Limited	Limited
Tommy DeVito	QB	Right Forearm	Limited	Full
Bryce Ford-Wheaton	WR	Achilles	Limited	Full
Jordon Riley	DT	Knee	Limited	Limited
Dyonte Johnson*	LB	Ankle	Limited	Full
Dane Belton	DB	Hip	--	Limited
Tyler Nubin	DB	Knee	--	Limited
Malik Nabers	WR	Groin	--	Limited

Bold denotes a change in status/new addition to the report from date of first issue.

*Designated to return from IR.

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New Orleans Saints Injury Report

Player	Pos	Injury	Wed	Thurs.	Fri.	Status
Taysom Hill	TE	Knee	DNP	DNP
Cesar Ruiz	G	Concussion	DNP	Limited
Nick Saldiveri	G	Knee	DNP	DNP
Juwan Johnson	TE	Foot	Limited	Limited
Erik McCoy	C	Groin	Limited	Limited
Bub Means	WR	Ankle	Limited	DNP
Foster Moreau	TE	Shoulder	Limited	Limited
Lucas Patrick	G	Calf	Limited	Limited
Tanoh Kpassagnon	DL	Achilles	Full	Full
Tyrann Mathieu	S	Forearm	Full	Full
Kendre Miller	RB	Hamstring	Full	Full
Pete Werner	LB	Hand	Full	Full

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