Giants OTA No. 7: Things we learned at Monday’s practice

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants’ seventh OTA is in the books, this one held indoors because of early-morning rain and threatening skies. Here is a look at some of what we learned on Monday.

Attendance: Odell, Snacks skip workout

No. Odell Beckham Jr. was not in attendance for Monday’s OTA. And no, I’m not going to make a big deal out of that. OTAs are, after all, voluntary. Damon Harrison was also not in attendance.

Head coach Pat Shurmur said he is “absolutely” expecting both players to attend the mandatory mini-camp next week.

Landon Collins, other injury updates

Landon Collins, who worked last week with a red non-contact jersey on, practiced on Monday. He spent the early, individual part of practice without the red jersey, but did wear one during the team periods. Collins is coming back from a second surgery on his broken forearm.

“He’s getting better. Well, I wouldn’t say it has changed. I would just say that we’re going to be a little bit cautious because it’s a break that’s healed. We’re trying to get him in as much as we can, but a little bit at a time,” Shurmur said. “But he looks good. He’s getting his extra running, he’s getting everything he needs mentally and I’ve been very pleased with his progress in all areas.”

Rookie defensive end R.J. McIntosh continued to be held out of practice. Second-year edge player Avery Moss ran some sprints, but also continued to be held out of practice.

Roster moves: Three cut, one added

The Giants Monday announced they have cut defensive backs Jeremiah McKinnon and Mike Jones, along with wide receiver Keeon Johnson. Tight end Garrett Dickerson was added to the roster. [Full story]

Rosas goes 8-for-10

Monday was Aldrick Rosas’ turn to kick field. He made his first seven kicks before missing from what appeared to be beyond 50 yards. Head coach Pat Shurmur allowed Rosas to try that kick twice more, finishing on a make from beyond 50.

“I just wanted to see him make one and he had made every kick until the last one and it’s just like shooting baskets, you don’t want to leave the court on a miss,” Shurmur said. “That’s all.”

Some encouraging Eli to Evan action

Eli Manning and Evan Engram connected several times on Monday, including a couple of highlight reel plays. With Engram lined up detached, he whipped cornerback Eli Apple by a couple of steps on a slant. Later, with Engram again detached, he caught a vertical seam route from Manning.

Defensive plays of the day

Cornerbacks Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins made the defensive plays of the day.

Apple denied Eli Manning and Sterling Shepard a long touchdown during 11-on-11. Running stride for stride with Shepard on a deep route he used his left hand to bat away a perfectly thrown ball near the back of the end zone.

Jenkins made a beautiful interception of Manning on a goal line fade route for Cody Latimer. Backpedaling, Jenkins leaped high and appeared to make a one-handed grab of another ball that appeared to be well thrown.

Alignment stuff

A few lineup notes:

• Rookie B.J. Hill continued to work with the first-team defensive line as a 5-tech. With Harrison not at practice, Robert Thomas took first-team reps at nose tackle.
• With Collins not working in 11-on-11, Curtis Riley got first-team reps at safety.
• Jon Halapio took all of the first-team reps at center, with Brett Jones working with the second unit. Shurmur cautioned not to read anything into that.

“He has done a very good job. Pio is very smart, he’s got good instincts – he snaps the ball well, which is a really refreshing thing for a center. That was supposed to be humorous (laughs). But no, he does all of those things well and he’s very competitive and he knows how to play the game,” Shurmur said. “I think (Brett) Jonesey is doing the same thing. They’re just in there competing. I wouldn’t over-evaluate who is getting the first team reps, but I think if you’re talking about Pio specifically, he has really sort of opened his eyes that he has a chance to play.”