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The New York Giants held their final practice on Thursday prior to facing the Buffalo Bills Saturday in their second preseason game. Here are some of the things we learned.
Victor Cruz’s day
As optimistic as Cruz and the Giants are trying to be, this does not look like a guy who will be ready for NFL game action any time soon.
This is what Victor Cruz is up to these days #giants pic.twitter.com/aQnwRAEL4N
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 18, 2016
Victor Cruz adding stopping and starting to his workload. pic.twitter.com/A8OkQvI8KQ
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) August 18, 2016
Now some backwards running by Victor Cruz. pic.twitter.com/WxY5uM1e4H
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) August 18, 2016
Roster move
The Giants Thursday announced that cornerback Matt Smalley has been waived/injured. Smalley suffered a dislocated shoulder on Monday and the move was expected after the team announced the signing on Wednesday of defensive back Joe Powell. Once Smalley clears waivers, he reverts to the Giants injured reserve list.
Injury update
Guard Justin Pugh (shoulder), wide receiver Geremy Davis (hamstring), defensive end Kerry Wynn (groin), H-Back Will Johnson (burner) and cornerback Eli Apple (knee) did not practice.
Not so fast there, Kelvin Sheppard
After practice observers had said that Kelvin Sheppard had moved into the lead in the competition for the starting middle linebacker job it was Jasper Brinkley and not Sheppard who took first-team reps on Thursday.
It looks like the middle linebacker wheel is going to continue to spin for a while.
Obarski’s opportunity
With Josh Brown suspended for the first game of the regular season, Tom Obarski has an opportunity to make his NFL debut. Saturday could go a long way toward determining whether or not he gets the chance.
“We’re gonna give Tom an opportunity to kick a lot this Saturday,” said head coach Ben McAdoo. “We’ll see how he does. He has a golden opportnity.” (Read more about Obarski)
Josh Brown
McAdoo said the Giants “knew it was a possibility” that Brown would face a suspension. He said he did not learn of the incident until after he became head coach. (Full Josh Brown transcript)
WATCH: Coach McAdoo on Josh Brown and team progress at #Giants practice https://t.co/YCK62GbTTy
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 18, 2016