Full-pads practice an encouraging sign for Giants
Azeez Ojulari, Giants linebacker, practices during Training Camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. Credit: James Escher
There is a lot we do not know about who will play for the Giants on Sunday when they host a pivotal game against the Commanders.
That is because even though the team practiced on Tuesday, it is not required to file an official injury report until Wednesday.
But there were positive hints all over Quest Diagnostics Training Center for a team that was severely depleted when it lost to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
Among those hints was the Giants’ practice attire itself.
The players wore full pads for the first time in nearly three weeks in part to help coaches assess exactly where the returning players stand in their readiness.
Other than cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and offensive linemen Shane Lemieux and Joshua Ezeudu, none of whom practiced on Tuesday, it appears everyone not on injured reserve has a chance to play.
“I would just say, in general, it looks promising for quite a bit of guys,” coach Brian Daboll said before practice.
Among the most intriguing players due back is linebacker Azeez Ojulari, who had eight sacks as a rookie last season but has been limited to two games this season (calf injury).
“It’s been like what, eight weeks?” he said, correctly. “It’s been a minute. Man, it’s been long.”
The idea this season was to have bookend outside pass rushers in Ojulari and rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux. Ojulari is eager to see what that looks like.
“I feel like the way we rush and the way we play, we can definitely work with each other, for sure,” he said. “I’m ready, man. I’m so excited.”
Cornerback Fabian Moreau was back at practice after missing the Cowboys game with an oblique injury, another promising development.
On offense, rookie right tackle Evan Neal practiced fully and expects to be ready as the Giants seek to restart a running game that has stalled.
Neal has not played since suffering a knee injury in Jacksonville on Oct. 23. “Felt good to be back,” he said.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was ill against the Cowboys and had a subpar game, said he is eager to get some of his fellow linemen back, especially facing the stiff test posed by Washington’s front seven.
Daboll said he is optimistic about getting back rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger, who required surgery near his left eye after being injured in Jacksonville.
Bellinger said Tuesday’s practice was a good test to see how he felt about giving and receiving hits while in pads.
He said his vision is fully cleared but that he now has to get used to playing with a visor – both catching passes with it on and having his perspiration fog it up.
Jon Feliciano could be ready to return at center, leaving Daboll with a decision to make about Nick Gates, who filled in there against Dallas.
When pressed on his plans at center, Daboll said, “I would say relative to the guys coming back, there’s still a few days here. Let’s get through practice today; let’s go to the next day. I don’t want to make some split-second decision.
“I think that’s one of the reasons we’re going pads: Let’s work a little bit on the running game. Let’s get some of these guys back and see how they operate in contact stuff. “
Asked whether he felt like part of the cavalry coming to the rescue of the reeling Giants – who have lost three of four – Neal said, “I wouldn’t word it like that, but we are just ready to get back out here and make a positive impact and hopefully help the team win. That’s what it’s about.”
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
