Giants-Buccaneers Friday injury report: Giants’ offensive linemen back to work

Aside from Will Hernandez, who is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus on Wednesday, the New York Giants had their full complement of offensive linemen back at practice on Friday.

Andrew Thomas, Shane Lemieux, Nick Gates, Spencer Pulley and Cam Fleming, considered to have had close contact with Hernandez, were all full participants after testing negative for the virus on Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday, the Giants practiced with only four offensive linemen and with tight end Eric Tomlinson playing right tackle.

“It was a really interesting challenge, obviously. I don’t know if we’ve ever been out on a practice field where you try to function with four offensive linemen, a couple young guys playing, guys playing out of position, and then Eric Tomlinson playing right tackle for you,” said offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. “But I thought those guys handled it really, really well. Coach Judge did a great job organizing the practice in such a way that it could be productive for everybody. I thought those young guys benefited from the reps and handled themselves well. Hats off to Eric for being able to jump in there. He’s a good football player, he’s a smart guy, he’s a tough guy, handled the work well and allowed us to function. I thought we got something out of yesterday’s work.”

Garrett added that he was “excited to have our guys back today and have a more normal practice” on Friday.

The only Giant who did not participate in practice was running back Devonta Freeman, still nursing an ankle injury that kept him out of last Thursday’s game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

C.J. Board, who missed the Week 7 game with a concussion, was a full participant. Defensive backs Adrian Colbert (shoulder) and Darnay Homles (neck) were limited participants, as was wide receiver Sterling Shepard (toe).

For Tampa Bay, wide receiver Chris Godwin (finger) did not participate. Tight end Rob Grtonkowski (shoulder), wide receiver Scotty Miller (hip/groin), edge Jason Pierre-Paul (knee) safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (shoulder/groin) were limited.