Giants designate WR Cody Latimer to return from IR

The New York Giants have designated wide receiver/special teams ace Cody Latimer to return from injured reserve. Latimer practiced on Wednesday, giving the Giants three weeks now to decide whether to return him to the 53-man roster or leave him on IR for the remainder of the season.

Latimer played in four games for the Giants earlier this season, catching six passes for 108 yards and averaging 22.3 yards on four kickoff returns. He was placed on IR with a hamstring injury.

“We’re going to start his clock, get him practicing in case we need him here down the road, much like we’ve been doing with Jonathan Stewart,” coach Pat Shurmur said on Wednesday.

“I kinda like the way the system works. You can practice them for three weeks, because along the way you may need a player, that’s the benefit of it. We lost Quadree (Henderson) this week with a shoulder. You have a player then that’s practicing and can come in and contribute.”

Latimer admitted he thought his season was over when he was placed on IR, which requires missing a minimum of eight games. He said he “popped” his hamstring and the injury was “a bad one.”

“They called me ‘Wolverine’ in the training room. Putting in a lot of work and time to get back right as quick as I can,” Latimer said.

“It’s always hard to sit and watch, winning or losing. You feel like you can’t help the team. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

Latimer was signed in the offseason to be the Giants’ No. 3 wide receiver. Players like Bennie Fowler, Corey Coleman, Jawill Davis and Russell Shepard have gotten at least limited opportunities in his absence.

Jonathan Stewart “ready to go”

The other player the Giants have designated to return is veteran running back Jonathan Stewart. The Giants have one more week before they need to decide whether or not to activate the 31-year-old. Shurmur said Stewart is “ready to go if we need him.”

Stewart had six carries for 17 yards in three games before going on IR with a foot injury.

Evan Engram, Kerry Wynn updates

Tight end Evan Engram, who missed Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles after injuring a hamstring in pre-game warm-ups, participated in the Giants’ Wednesday morning walk-thru. Shurmur was unsure of his status for the rest of the week.

Kerry Wynn (concussion) will practice Wednesday on a limited, non-contact basis. Shurmur said the Giants are “very hopeful” of getting the veteran defensive end back Sunday against the Chicago Bears.