Wide receiver Golden Tate was back with the New York Giants on Thursday, one day after he was told to stay home by coach Joe Judge for venting frustrations about his role by twice saying “throw me the ball” during Monday’s game.
Judge simply said “yes” when asked if Tate was back to work and it it was business as usual for the Giants as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team.
Judge had been crystal clear on Wednesday in talking about his expectations.
“It has to be team first for everyone in this building. Every coach and every player has to be team first. There’s no exceptions for that,” Judge said. “I’m not going to tolerate and put up with any kind of selfish behavior from anybody, coach or player, it’s not going to happen.”
On Thursday, Judge said he understands that all of his decisions will have repercussions throughout the roster and the organization.
“I’m conscious that my decisions will always be looked at throughout the building and for every decision I make,” Judge said. “The biggest thing I have to do is be consistent in the decisions I make based on the circumstances involved. I have a philosophy, we have team rules that are clearly laid out to our players. There is not a lot of gray area in anything we do as a program. It’s what it is.”
Tate, 32, has only 22 catches on 29 targets in eight games and is averaging 3.1 receptions per game, all numbers that would put him on pace for his lowest totals since the 2013 season. His snaps played have also diminished over the past four weeks to roughly around 50 percent of the offensive plays.
Thursday injury report
Did not practice
DB Ryan Lewis (hamstring)
Limited participation
LB Devante Downs (shoulder)
RB Devonta Freeman (ankle)
LB Blake Martinez (hamstring)
DB Logan Ryan (hip)
WR Sterling Shepard (shoulder/toe)