Olivier Vernon carted off from Giants practice with ankle injury
Giants linebacker Olivier Vernon drops into coverage during training camp on Aug. 20, 2018. Credit: Brad Penner
If there was one player on the Giants’ defense who looked ready to blast off into the regular season, it was Olivier Vernon. He seemed to have taken to his new position as a linebacker after years as a defensive end and was a constant presence in the offensive backfield in practices and preseason games.
Now, though, he might not be ready for the Giants’ Sept. 9 season opener against the Jaguars.
Vernon was carted off the field early in Sunday’s practice with an ankle injury.
Giants coach Pat Shurmur said he would be evaluated and did not give any indication of the severity of the situation, but Vernon had his head in his hands as he was driven to the locker room.
Vernon also missed four games last season with a sprained ankle, though it’s unclear whether it is the same ankle that took this injury.
“He kind of went inside the block and got his feet tangled up,” Shurmur said. “You don’t want anyone to get hurt. You want guys to be able to practice and stay healthy. We’ll just see. At this point I don’t have any information.”
Barkley back
Saquon Barkley was a full and unlimited participant in practice for the first time since he injured a hamstring Aug. 13.
He had returned to the field Wednesday for individual drills and some walk-through reps, but he ran with the starters at full speed Sunday and seemed uninhibited by any remnants of the injury.
Giant steps
DT R.J. McIntosh, on the active/non-football injury list with an undisclosed medical condition, took part in football activities Sunday for the first time since the start of training camp . . . LB Connor Barwin, sidelined since the preseason opener Aug. 9 with non-specific “soreness,” remains inactive. Shurmur insisted he remains “day to day” . . . Shurmur reiterated that there are a number of players who will not participate in Thursday’s preseason finale, but he declined to name them.
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.
