Evan Engram has been sidelined due to hamstring injury

Now we officially know why tight end Evan Engram has not been participating in recent practices for the New York Giants. The sleeve on his left leg during mini-camp was a giveaway that he has been dealing with a leg injury, and coach Pat Shurmur confirmed on Wednesday that Engram was fighting a hamstring issue.

“He hurt his hamstring and he is coming back from that injury. We will be smart with him just like we would be during the season,” Shurmur said on Tuesday. “Not holding him back, so to speak. If he was able to be out there, he would be. We all know he will be out there very soon. That may be just to start training camp.

“I think it is important that you get the players all the work they can get, but you need to be smart about what they are dealing with so that when training camp starts and the season starts, they are at their best.”

Engram dealt with knee and hamstring injuries last season when he played in only 11 games.

The Giants need the third-year pro healthy this season to complement wide receivers Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard. Engram has 109 catches in 26 NFL games, 4.2 per game, with nine touchdowns.

Engram presents a matchup problem for opposing defenses, and at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds is an excellent red zone target.

“I feel good with where I’m at,” Engram said on Tuesday.

“It is kind of hard not being out there with the guys, especially since we’ve been competing so much. Get the blood juicing. But not worried about it. It’s still early. We still got a lot to play for, so there is no need to rush or press anything.”