Giants OTA practice report: Highlights from the first OTA workout

We have already covered the two biggest news items from the New York Giants first Phase Three OTA Wednesday at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. In case you were doing something unconsionable -- like working -- and not paying attention to Big Blue View, those were:

• Defensive end Robert Ayers being carted off with a left leg injury on the very first play of 11-on-11 drills.
• The revamped offensive line debuting with Ereck Flowers being given the opportunity to show he can handle the left tackle role in the absence of Will Beatty.

Here are a few other noteworthy things from the OTA:

• Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was not in attendance, nor was he expected to be. He has not yet signed the franchise tag the Giants placed on him. He can't practice with the team until he does. Head coach Tom Coughlin said "I do expect him to be here" for mandatory mini-camp next month.
• Linebacker Devon Kennard (ankle) and safety Nat Berhe (calf) sat out for precautionary reasons. Without Kennard, the first linebacking unit consisted of Jon Beason and free-agent signees J.T. Thomas and Jonathan Casillas. Without Berhe, Cooper Taylor took first-team safety reps next to Landon Collins.
• Corey Washington (yes, here we go again) made the catch of the day. He leaped and outfought Prince Amukamara for a pass at the front end zone pylon. Washington got a healthy number of snaps working with quarterback Eli Manning.
• The only interception of the day was by rookie safety Mykkele Thompson. He picked off a wobbly (as in awful and badly underthrown) deep ball from Ryan Nassib that was intended for Preston Parker.
• The Madden Curse must exist. Odell Beckham Jr. dropped the first pass thrown to him Wednesday, a quick slant during passing drills.
• Victor Cruz was in attendance. He worked briefly alone on a secondary field, but mostly simply stood and watched his teammates practice. ""I can't lie. I am itching. I am running routes and feeling good, but I know there is still a process and I am still a little ways away in terms of strength-wise and things like that. It feels good and watching those guys run routes and catch balls, I am definitely itching to get back out there," Cruz said.