Giants, already with their IR list growing, are dealing with injuries to several key players
The New York Giants, bedraggled at 2-10 and beaten-up physically with a lengthy injury list, are continuing to struggle to figure out who will be available to play for them on Sunday when they host the New Orleans Saints.
Not practicing
Three players — inside linebacker Bobby Okereke (back), defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck) and cornerback Deonte Banks (rib) — did not practice on Thursday. That’s down from five who did not practice on Wednesday and were listed by head coach Brian Daboll as “week-to-week.”
In all likelihood, those three players will not be available Sunday.
Offensive tackles Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) and Evan Neal (hip) were practicing on a limited basis.
“Both of those guys will do something today,” Daboll said. “How much, we’ll see.”
Eluemunor missed the game against Dallas with his quad injury. Neal played through that game with his hip injury.
The backup tackles are Chris Hubbard and Joshua Ezeudu. Daboll said the Giants “have got a couple more days to figure that out” in terms of who will actually be available to play on Sunday.
The Nunez-Roches injury is another difficult one for the Giants. They have placed defensive tackles Dexter Lawrence and Armon Watts on IR during the past week. D.J. Davidson (shoulder) and Jordon riley (knee) are also dealing with injuries.
Without Okereke, Micah McFadden and Darius Muasau will be the primary linebackers.
Tommy DeVito ‘good to go’
DeVito, who missed last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys with a right (throwing) forearm injury will be “good to go” against the Saints.
“He was good yesterday [in practice],” Daboll said.
Drew Lock will remain the starting quarterback, though, with DeVito serving as the backup.
“He did some good things in Dallas. We’re going to give him an opportunity to have a full week of practice and go out there and play in a game,” Daboll said.
Nabers on the injury report
Wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has had on-again, off-again groin issues this season, showed up on the injury report Thursday as a limited practice participant.
Thursday injury report
Did Not Participate in Practice
CB Deonte Banks (Rib)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (Neck/Shoulder)
ILB Bobby Okereke (Back)
Limited participation
S Dane Belton (Hip)
DL D.J. Davidson (Shoulder)
T Jermaine Eluemunor (Quad)
WR Malik Nabers (Groin)
T Evan Neal (Hip)
S Tyler Nubin (Knee)
DL Jordon Riley (Knee)
Full participation
QB Tommy DeVito (Right Forearm)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles)
ILB Dyontae Johnson* (Ankle … in 21-day practice window)