Giants defensive back Logan Ryan participates in a drill during training...

Giants defensive back Logan Ryan participates in a drill during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J., on Aug. 3, 2021. Credit: Brad Penner

Logan Ryan is on the standby list for a flight to Tampa.

Because of the positive COVID-19 tests he received late this past week after coming in close contact with another confirmed positive, the safety will not be on the Giants’ team charter when it departs on Sunday afternoon and almost certainly will miss Monday night’s game against the Bucs in Tampa. The Giants put him on the league’s COVID/reserve list Friday and listed him as out on their final injury report Saturday.

But there remains a very slim chance he can be cleared from the pandemic protocols in time to hop on a plane and get to Florida in time to participate in the game.

"If he clears as late as Monday morning, we’ll get him down there and have him ready to play," Joe Judge said on Saturday.

To be eligible for that kind of whirlwind journey, Ryan, who is asymptomatic, would need two negative tests 24 hours apart. The Giants will know whether that is possible by the time they leave their facility for the trip on Sunday.

"We’re preparing for all situations of him not being available, as well as if he turns around at the last minute and is," Judge said. "We’re ready for that as well."

Ryan’s availability for next week’s game against the Eagles could be impacted if he is unable to clear the hurdle of the two negative tests by then.

If cleared for this game — and again, it is exceedingly unlikely — Ryan undoubtedly will do everything in his power to get to the stadium in time for kickoff, be it by plane, train or automobile. Monday’s game is one he has been looking forward to for weeks. He spoke about that anticipation this past week in his media session before his designation in COVID protocols and has been telling teammates about it as well.

"He was really excited to get after it this week especially against Tampa, against Tom [Brady]," fellow safety Julian Love said. "That’s just the competitor in him. His juices were going this week for sure."

Ryan, a friend and former Patriots teammate of Brady’s, recorded a pick-6 for the Titans on Brady’s last pass as a Patriot.

More likely the emergency logistics the Giants employ will have nothing to do with airplanes and travel itineraries but pivot to how they can replace the versatile safety on the field against a powerful Bucs offense. Ryan not only is one of the Giants’ better players — he leads them with 72 tackles — but also is considered the smartest piece of a secondary that relies more on subterfuge and disguise than man-to-man schemes.

Ryan has continued to participate in team and position meetings via Zoom but has not been on the field with the team since Thursday.

"From a leadership perspective, it’s tough," said Love, one of the players who will be asked to help fill the void. "He’s kind of the veteran, experienced guy in our secondary right now. I mean, obviously we want him out there with us."

Notes & quotes: OT Andrew Thomas said there is "nothing in my mind" that will prevent him from being activated off injured reserve and playing against the Bucs. He has been sidelined with ankle and foot injuries since he was hurt early in the Oct. 17 game against the Rams. "I’m feeling good," he said after Saturday’s practice. The Giants have until 4 p.m. Monday to activate him from his injury designation. As for whether Thomas can return to the form he showed in his last full game against the Saints in Week 4 — his best in the NFL — he said it’s his goal. "That’s the focus, that every time I’m on the field I’m dominating and doing everything I can," he said . . . Saquon Barkley likely will make his return to the lineup on Monday. Judge said Barkley had a strong week of practices and is "trending the right way and really progressing for us." Barkley is listed as questionable with the ankle injury he suffered on Oct. 10 . . . When DL Leonard Williams was traded to the Giants from the Jets in the middle of the 2019 season, he thought he’d finally escaped being tormented by Brady. Instead, thanks to Brady’s move to Tampa Bay before the 2020 season, he’s had to face him every year. "I’ve had a lot of frustration going against him most of my career," Williams said. His teams are 1-10 against Brady with the Patriots and Bucs.

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