Giants training camp, 8/27: Takeaways from Thursday’s practice

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — While the Washington Football Team, the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts decided not to practice Thursday as Jacob Blake protests by sports teams continued to become more widespread, the New York Giants forged ahead with a two-hour training camp workout at Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

Here are some of the takeaways from the day.

They actually practiced

That is probably the biggest takeaway. While teams around the league have cancelled practices, the Giants choose to forge ahead.

Coach Joe Judge said he spoke with the team’s Leadership Council and players “wanted to continue gong with it.”

“These guys have been very urgent about continuing our work, that doesn’t detract at all from what we’re doing in the community”

Judge said the Giants will discuss the social justice issues Thursday afternoon. The Giants are scheduled to scrimmage Friday night in MetLife Stadium. As of now, that is still a go.

Injury updates

Do the Giants have another injury to front-line defensive player to worry about? Inside linebacker Blake Martinez was not on the practice field Thursday, with Judge saying his defensive leader was “checking with the trainers on something.” He added that as of now he was “not overly concerned,” and didn’t provide further details.

The Giants lost safety Xavier McKinney (fractured foot) and linebacker David Mayo (torn meniscus) on Wednesday.

The good news was that linebacker Ryan Connelly, coming back from a torn ACL and sidelined since prior to last Friday’s scrimmage, was back at practice. Wearing a sleeve on his right leg, Connelly took a handful of 11-on-11 reps as the Giants practiced in shells.

Center Spencer Pulley, tight end Rysen John and special teamer Nate Ebner did not practice.

Roster move

Rookie running back Tavien Feaster has been added to the roster. Wide receiver Tony Brown has been waived.

Celebration penalty

After catching a long pass from Daniel Jones Sterling Shepard whooped in celebration and flung the ball some 20 to 30 yards away. That drew Judge’s ire, with Shepard having to go and retrieve the ball himself.

“He made a tremendous play on the play and then he threw a ball that’s a 15-yard penalty. We had the ball at the 10-yard line, would have brought it back to the 25-yard line. That’s not something we’re going to accept from any player on the team.”

Practice notes

• Rookie tackle Matt Peart got some work at left tackle. “He’s a guy that comes to work every day with a lunch pail and he’s improved going along,” Judge said. “As we said early in camp we’re going to move our line around, we’re going to work guys in different spots.”
• Jabrill Peppers and Evan Engram had a nice battle. Engram caught a touchdown pass over Peppers during a red zone drill, and Peppers had a pass defensed vs. Engram in a two-minute drill.
• Placekicker Graham Gano went 5 for 5 on field goals to close practice.
• The Giants worked a little bit of kickoff return, with Javon Leake, Corey Coleman, Darnay Holmes and Derrick Dillon taking reps. When they did punt return, Peppers and C.J. Board were given opportunities.
• Wide receiver David Sills V, bidding for a roster spot, caught a touchdown pass from Daniel Jones in a red zone period. Sills leaped over Jarren Williams to haul in a fade.

Media and practice schedule

Friday, Aug. 28

7:15 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Blue and White Scrimmage @ MetLife Stadium
Approx. 10:15 p.m. – Head Coach Joe Judge Available
Approx. 10:25 p.m. – Player Interviews

Saturday, Aug. 29

Players’ Day Off
No Availability