Giants training camp: What we learned on Day 10

Russell Wilson’s value, Gunner Olszewski’s big day, Montrell Washington, Jaxson Dart, roster moves, more

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants held their 10th practice of training camp on Monday at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. This one was in shells.

Here are some of the things we learned.

Injury updates

The Giants are depleted enough at running back that they are reportedly adding journeyman running Jonathan Ward.

Cam Skattebo is apparently dealing with a hamstring injury and undrafted free agent Rushawn Baker has a knee injury. The Giants had only three backs — Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary and Dante Miller — on the field Monday.

Ward will at least help the Giants practice this week, and then get through Saturday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills without having to overextend Tracy or Singletary.

More injury notes:

Wide receivers Darius Slayton and Beaux Collins, tight end Thomas Fidone (concussion), edge defender Chauncey Golston, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and cornerback Korie Black did not practice.

Congrats to GVR

Greg Van Roten was back to practice after the birth of his daughter, Anna. As he had previously, Van Roten split time with Evan Neal at right guard with the first team.

Your daily Dart

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart continued to work with the second team, something he has done regularly during the past few practices.

Unofficially, I had Dart 6 of 11 with a red zone touchdown pass to wide receiver Zach Pascal.

If I am going to quibble with anything Dart is doing right now, my concern would be how long he holds the ball in the pocket sometimes before deciding to either throw the ball or get out of there.

Apparently, I have swag

I didn’t know that was possible, considering that I turn 65 in nine days. Head coach Brian Daboll, though, informed me that is indeed the case.

That came about when I asked Daboll a question on Monday morning. Here is the shocking exchange:

Q: You talked a lot about adding toughness to the roster, but along with that, you seem to have added a lot of guys with what you might call personality, or swag, or attitude. Does one go with the other, or was that intentional as well?

DABOLL: “Well, we look for good football players, first and foremost. And I’d say we place a high premium on toughness, both physical and mental. Something we talked a lot about in the offseason, I think we’ve added that. In terms of the swag, I think everybody, you got your own swag, Ed. Those guys got their swag. I think probably everybody defines swag a little bit differently here. But I do like the pieces that we’ve added, the personalities. But I like their instincts as football players, competitiveness and their overall toughness.”

Quote of the day

— Wide receiver Montrell Washington on his uphill fight to make the 53-man roster

Play of the day

The aforementioned Washington, who has been impressive in recent practices, had a leaping one-handed grab over a defensive back on a pass from Dart during 7-on-7 drills.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Washington was a fifth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2022 NFL Draft. He caught four passes for Denver in 15 games that year. Washington played in seven games over the past two seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs without a reception

The Gunner Olszewski drive

After landing on Injured Reserve last season due to a groin injury, the former Giants return man did not have an NFL job until last week when Bryce Ford-Wheaton was placed on IR.

Olszewski had a drive to remember at the end of Monday’s practice.

In a full-field “move the ball” situation with Jameis Winston at quarterback, Olszewski caught all four passes thrown to him.

There was a shot down the seam for about 20 yards that he caught in traffic, a quick out, a slant in traffic and a diving catch for an 11-yard touchdown on another slant.

Not bad for a guy who has 15 receptions in 65 career regular-season games.

Dominant defensive period

During an 11-on-11 session that last eight plays, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux had sacks, Russell Wilson was flushed into the arms of Thibodeaux for what probably would have been a third sack, and Wilson misfired on a pass aross the middle for Wan’Dale Robinson that was intercepted by safety Javon Holland.

Russell Wilson’s value

Here is Daboll discussing what Wilson, entering his 14th season, brings to the Giants:

“I’m glad Russ is here for a number of reasons. He’s provided leadership to our football team in various ways, not just in the quarterback room, but meeting extra with the entire offense, how he communicates with defensive players, the experience that he’s had throughout his career. And he’s been productive and made good decisions at that position here in our offense. He understands it, I think he’s performed at a high level. We need him to continue to do that.”

Quick hits

• Malik Nabers keeps on doing Malik Nabers things. Interestingly, like in the play above, he did a number of them on Monday while aligned in the slot vs. Dru Phillips.
• James Hudson, who has been the starting left tackle all spring and summer with Andrew Thomas still on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, took a handful of second-team reps at right tackle. He did not get to ease in, going up against Abdul Carter for those reps.
• There was only one pre-snap penalty on Monday. Defensive tackle Cory Durden jumped offside on a snap in the red zone. He was quickly replaced.
• There is no more training camp fan access, with the exception of next week’s joint practice vs. the New York Jets. The Giants will only hold a walk-through on Tuesday and there will be no media viewing.