Giants take chance that Isaiah Wilson's off-field issues are behind him
Isaiah Wilson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, in this Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, file photo. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
Joe Judge can’t say whether Isaiah Wilson, the 22-year-old former first-round pick of the Titans, is committed to football enough to make an eventual impact for the Giants. But, Judge said, "he’s going to have the opportunity to prove that to us."
The Giants signed Wilson to their practice squad on Thursday morning and he was on the field with the team for practice in the afternoon. Judge said they would be working him at tackle and guard, on the left and right sides, but more important they’ll be watching how he acts in and outside the facility. Wilson, who has played just one game in his NFL career because of a string of off-field issues that has included a suspension by the Titans, getting waived by the Dolphins three days after he was acquired in a trade, and two reported arrests, is listed at 330 pounds but comes with an equal weight’s worth of baggage.
"Everyone is going to start with a clean slate and have the opportunity to come in and be part of this team," Judge said. "It’s all based on what they do when they are here, how they perform, how they act in the classroom, how they handle themselves outside and represent the organization."
Judge would not go into specifics on how the Giants vetted Wilson, but he has close relationships with his two former head coaches in the NFL: Mike Vrabel of the Titans and Brian Flores of the Dolphins.
"It’s a small league," Judge said. "There are very few secrets in this league when it comes to the players and coaches. We all have friends and contacts on every team. There are 32 teams, you can go through every roster and look at this guy, this guy, this guy worked together somewhere else at some point. It’s a close circle of guys. We do due diligence with every player we bring in here, every coach we bring in here. This is no exception."
For now, Wilson will be going through the process of reacclimating to football and trying to rehabilitate his reputation. If he can do both, perhaps the Giants will have stumbled upon something positive. It’s an opportunity for him, but one for them as well with very little risk.
Notes & quotes: WR John Ross, designated to return from IR this week, on Thursday went through his first full-speed practice with the team since he injured his hamstring in training camp nearly two months ago. Judge said because Ross was with the team in training camp there is reason to think he could play on Sunday if medically cleared … Is the left guard position for the Giants jinxed? After injuries sidelined the previous three starters there this season — Shane Lemieux (knee), Nick Gates (fractured leg) and Ben Bredeson (hand) — the likely fourth starter on Sunday, Matt Skura laughed at the idea. "Injuries happen," he said.
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.
