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The Giants’ toughest (and hottest) practice of the preseason on Saturday was followed by their easiest on Sunday.
The Giants finished their ninth practice of training camp on Sunday — their second in full pads. They’ll host joint practices with the Lions on Monday and Tuesday ahead of their preseason game against Detroit next Thursday.
There aren’t too many notes from a half walk-through practice, but here are our Sunday takeaways anyway:
Daniel Jones shined (for the most part): Quarterback Daniel Jones put together a decent practice during live team periods Sunday, going 9-for-11 through the air with a touchdown and an interception. The interception, snagged by safety Jason Pinnock, came on the sixth play of the first drive, when Jones, who was five-of-five passing at that point, tried to sling it to tight end Daniel Bellinger 10 yards away. Jones’ throw was a bit high, but still catchable for Bellinger. Pinnock, who had a pick on Friday too, did a nice job leaping toward the tipped pass.
Jones’ long touchdown pass was all sorts of odd — and probably would have been a Brian Burns sack, which has been a common theme all camp. A combination of busted coverage, snap miscommunication and collapsing pass protection somehow led to an easy 50-yard bomb from Jones to Wan’Dale Robinson for six. Again, this likely would have been a sack, but it’s a good confidence builder for Jones and Robinson entering joint practices.
New guard still hasn’t played guard: Greg Van Roten, the Giants’ newest signee who was supposed to take the starting right guard spot, has yet to take a non-center snap in camp. And look, it makes sense since in that John Michael Schmitz hasn’t practiced since he suffered a shoulder injury last week and the coaching staff wants to get the starting bodies out there… But shouldn’t Van Roten get at least one rep at guard, with preseason underway soon and backup center Austin Schlottman fully healthy?
When asked if Van Roten would get guard reps, coach Brian Daboll was mum, stating, “We’ll keep getting him center reps right now.”
When asked if Schmitz’s injury was long-term, Daboll said, “Yeah, he’s getting better. I don’t think it’s anything long term. When he’s ready we’ll put him back out there.”
Injury updates: Here’s yet another long Giants injury update list, courtesy of Daboll: Tight end Jack Stoll (concussion) and wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (hyperextended knee) did not practice Sunday. According to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, they will both likely miss the joint practices with the Lions. Schmitz (shoulder), as mentioned, did not practice again, which marks his sixth missed practice in a row. Don’t be surprised if Big Blue’s starting center misses the joint practices too, given his time off.
In positive news: Joshua Ezeudu returned after being carted off for dehydration on Firday and both Isaiah McKenzie — who created something from nothing with a slant route TD during team period — and Darius Slayton practiced too.
