Giants' Evan Engram eager to face Cowboys after earlier dust-ups
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 07: Evan Engram #88 of the New York Giants reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at MetLife Stadium on November 07, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Dustin Satloff
Evan Engram said he isn’t going into Sunday’s game against the Cowboys looking for payback.
"It’s not a circle game for me," the tight end said. "It’s never this guy versus that guy."
Still, after his last encounter with the Cowboys ended in a pair of dust-ups — he was shoved by safety Damontae Kazee late in the game, which prompted teammate Kadarius Toney to come to his defense and throw a punch that led to his ejection, and after the game ended, Engram was sucker-punched by safety Jayron Kearse in an exchange that escaped the cameras and went undisciplined by the NFL — Engram had a hard time holding back his enthusiasm for the upcoming meeting.
"Yeah, they’ve got a bunch of guys over there who we’ll see, so definitely excited for that matchup," he said.
He added that Kearse is "a good player, we had a good matchup last time we played, they do play a lot of man and he covers tight ends, so we’ll have our day."
Engram caught four passes for 55 yards in the 44-20 loss in Dallas. He was targeted only four times last week against the Chargers in a game plan that focused on using tight ends more in running and pass protection situations than as route-runners. Against the Cowboys, that may change and give Engram more chances to make plays.
"It’s a big rivalry game, and I’m asked to do a job to help my team win, to beat the Cowboys," he said. "I’m going to go out there and compete. I’ll win my matchup and do what I can to help my team win."
And if he does it against Kazee or Kearse specifically, all the better.
Notes & quotes: DL Leonard Williams was limited in Thursday’s practice and could play Sunday despite the serious triceps injury he suffered against the Chargers. Judge said Williams tested out some braces in Thursday’s workout . . . RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) and LT Andrew Thomas (ankle) were limited after being non-participants on Wednesday . . . LB Reggie Ragland and S Steven Parker missed practice because of non-COVID illness. K Graham Gano, who missed Wednesday’s practice because of an illness, returned on Thursday.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
