New York Giants Practice Report: The ‘Oy Vey’ Edition

The Giants had a few injuries pop up during Monday's practice, and by the sound of things, a couple could be concerning.

After Sunday’s relatively light practice, the Giants cranked up the intensity Monday in more ways than one.

According to multiple reports (I was not present for this one), Devante Downs whacked running back Sandro Platzgummer to the ground, a hit that nearly started a brawl as Nick Gates and Sterling Shepard were among those who got in Downs’ face. 

After a relatively clean summer with the center-quarterback exchange, Nick Gates and Daniel Jones had a muffed snap, which earned them both a penalty lap around the field. That’s not something the coaches want to see this late in camp.

But the most significant “oy vey” of the day was the injury bug rearing its ugly head. According to reports, receiver Golden Tate came up lame, grabbing the back of his right leg after making a reception.

With the start of the season 14 days away, that’s not a good sign, especially if it turns out to be a hamstring. Hamstrings are tricky injuries that can take a lot of time to heal depending on the severity, so we’ll have to see how badly Tate is.

Linebacker Blake Martinez, who returned to practice yesterday, couldn’t finish practice today, sitting out the 11-on-11 portion of practice. He continues to deal with what’s believed to be a lower-body injury. 

Martinez’s injury situation is concerning considering he’s projected to be an every-down linebacker for the team and the defense's quarterback.

Head coach Joe Judge said the other day that he wasn’t overly concerned with Martinez’s injury, but that was when the situation first popped up. But if Martinez aggravated whatever it was that is bothering him to where he might miss time, then the Giants, who by the way have roster decisions to make in the next few days, are going to have some even more challenging decisions.

Other injuries happened too. Defensive lineman R.J. McIntosh was reported to have injured his left foot or ankle and was seen with an ice wrap around it. 

Safety Montre Hartage also pulled up lame while making a play with what was reported as a lower-body injury.

And safety Jabrill Peppers, who is believed to have been dealing with cramps this summer, was reported to have cramped up again though he didn’t cut his practice day short.

Tight end Rysen John and safety Jaquarius Landrews remained out of practice with unknown ailments. Offensive lineman Spencer Pulley returned to practice for the first time in a week.

The Ugly Part of Life as an NFL Head Coach

In less than a week, head coach Joe Judge will have to do a part of his job that he’s not looking forward to doing: Telling 27 players that their goal of making the Giants roster has fallen short.

Judge, who has already had to cut some players here and there as the roster has churned, admitted he’s not looking forward to that.

“That’s the unfortunate part of the business and that’s the reality for every coach and player in the NFL,” he said. “It’s a not an easy thing to do. No one likes to sit there and tell a player that they are going have to move on from them on the roster at that point in time. It’s not a fun part of the job, it’s not something you enjoy.”

Every coach tends to handle the process a little differently. For Judge, who has always chosen to be as upfront and open with a player as possible, he intends to continue that practice when he notifies those players that they won’t be part of the initial 53-man roster.

“You try to give the player as much information as they can use going forward,” he said. “Something they can improve on in their own game, something you felt was a strength of theirs that they could make sure they keep strong and highlight going forward.

“As well, you remind the player it’s important to stay in shape, they have been in our system. We have familiarity with them. There is going to be a lot of movement in the early part of the year as well as throughout the year with both the 53-man roster and the practice squad itself. You try to encourage the player on what they can do to improve themselves professionally as well as stay in shape and stay ready, because when those phone calls happen, they happen fast.”