New York Giants news, 12/21: Beckham on kettle jump, Cruz returns to Philly, more

It is a busy Wednesday with a lot going on as your New York Giants are just a day away from playing the Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s quickly get caught up on some of today’s story lines.

Odell Beckham Jr. and Zeke’s kettle jump

Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made some waves earlier in the week when the league refused to fine Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys for celebrating a touchdown by jumping in a Salvation Army kettle. Beckham said had he done that he certainly would have been fined. He reiterated that on Wednesday.

“Because I’m me. That’s why I would’ve been fined,” Beckham said.

That, however, doesn’t mean he had a problem with Elliott’s kettle jump.

“First, I was just laughing. I love seeing Zeke out there just having fun. You’re supposed to have fun. He’s out there jumping into whatever it was, the Salvation Army cup. He’s hiding in there and then gets up. I thought it was hilarious,” Beckham said. “It’s not really a big deal, it’s just the way the world works. There’s double standards everywhere. It’s just how life is. I’m absolutely positive if I would’ve done that, I would’ve been fined. It’s whatever. It’s nothing against Zeke. Zeke is my boy. I have a Zeke jersey right there, so there’s no problems with anything like that. You set rules and limitations but you don’t follow them.”

Emotional night coming for Cruz

When the Giants step on the field Thursday night in Philadelphia it will mark the first time Victor Cruz has been on the Lincoln Financial Field surface since suffering a torn patella tendon there in Week 6 of the 2014 season. He admitted this week that it will “absolutely” be an emotional night for him.

“That right corner of the end zone down there was a place where it all kind of restarted for me, so obviously it will bring back some emotion and some memories, both good and bad obviously to be back out there, so I am excited for it, man,” Cruz said. “I am excited to go and make some new memories and some new thoughts to think about.”

Malcolm Jenkins: Giants good, not lucky

Eagles cornerback Malcolm Jenkins was asked this week if the Giants, with a point differential of only +22 and a takeaway/giveaway ratio of -3 (23rd in the NFL) were “lucky” to be 10-4.

“You don’t win in this league by luck, you win because you have done some good things,” Jenkins said. “Their defense has been playing a lot better as the season goes on, their offense is making plays, so you look at the turnovers and you see that for them to be winning with that turnover margin, it means that they have been pretty productive in other places, so no, I wouldn’t call it luck.”

Injury updates

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins said Tuesday that his bruised back is “painful,” but that he is “feeling good. I’m feeling alright.” Jenkins was unsure whether he would be able to play Thursday night. “I am just focused on getting better every day and we will see what happens,” he said.

Coach Ben McAdoo admitted Wednesday that running back Shane Vereen (torn triceps) and quarterback Ryan Nassib (right elbow) will both have surgery by the end of the week. Both players were placed on season-ending injured reserve this week.

In case you missed it ...

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• League punishes Giants for walkie-talkie incident.
• Five story lines for Giants-Eagles.
• Could Tom Coughlin become head coach in Jacksonville?