Giants training camp: Ten takeaways from Tuesday

The New York Giants completed their first training camp practice in pads on Tuesday, as they wore “uppers” during the workout.

“Snacks” is back

Damon Harrison (knee) came off PUP on Tuesday and the big man wasn’t very happy with his performance on the field, saying he was “a little slow.” (Read the full story)

"Great to have Snacks back," head coach Ben McAdoo said. "We had to yank him out of some drills, he was chomping at the bit to get going. ... He seems to be in good shape."

Harrison certainly hasn’t lost his sense of humor. News of his return let to his name trending on Twitter, which he noticed.

Cruz makes it through

Wide receiver Victor Cruz made it through his first practice in shoulder pads in nearly a year on Tuesday. Cruz participated fully as he tries to come back from patella tendon and calf injuries that have kept him out of the last 26 games.

"He seemed to do fine," McAdoo said. "I didn't notice anything."

Giants cautious with Beckham

After being cleated during Sunday’s practice, Odell Beckham Jr., stretched with teammates at the beginning of practice but then went to the sideline and did not participate in the rest of the workout.

“He’s a little tender, had some swelling, so we were smart with him today,” McAdoo said.

The coach did not say whether or not Beckham would practice on Wednesday.

More injury updates

Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley was limited Tuesday by what McAdoo called a “slight hamstring” issue .. Linebacker J.T Thomas and defensive tackle Jay Bromley remain on PUP, and McAdoo said both have a little ways to go” before being activated.

Bobby Hart has an opportunity

Second-year offensive tackle Bobby Hart has yet to take any first-team snaps this training camp, but GM Jerry Reese and coach Ben McAdoo insist he has a chance to unseat Marshall Newhouse at right tackle.

“He’s just gotta win the job, it’s there for him,” said McAdoo. (Read the full story)

McAdoo: New kickoff rule will backfire

The Giants coach was asked Tuesday what he thought of the new touchback rule, bringing kickoffs that go for touchbacks out to the 25-yard line. He said that the rule, another effort by the NFL to minimize the impact of the kickoff, would likely backfire.

“I think it’s gonna be interesting. It’ll make for an interesting play. I would anticipate you’re going to see more returns.,” he said. “Five yards makes a big difference. You’re going to see the ball hanging around the goal line a lot.”

Uppers only

The Giants had billed Tuesday’s practice as their first padded one, leading to the expectation that they would be in full pads for practice. They weren’t. They wore uppers only — shoulder pads, but no leg pads.

Not playing the numbers game

A favorite pastime of fans — and sometimes the media — is to figure out how many players a team should keep at each position when it builds a 53-man roster. McAdoo wouldn’t bite on that question recently when asked about the tight end position. He again refused to bite Tuesday when asked how many linebackers he wanted to keep.

“I’m not gonna play the numbers game,” he said.

Stars of the day

Since I’m still recuperating from my back injury and once again was not at practice, I hate to try and tell you who did well and who did not at practice. On Tuesday, though, tight end Matt LaCosse and wide receiver Sterling Shepard seemed to earn praise from several sources. LaCosse, of course, is in a tough competition for a roster spot. Shepard, the second-round pick, continues to draw raves.

Practice schedule

The Giants practice again Wednesday at 10:40 a.m. ET. That practice, however, is closed to the public. The next open practice will be Thursday, once again at 10:40 a.m.