Engram Optimistic About Return from Foot Injury

Giants tight end Evan Engram told reporters he feels good about possibly being back in the lineup this weekend.

Giants tight end Evan Engram’s absence at the start of Monday’s practice raised a few eyebrows among those spectators in attendance, but as it turned out, there was some good news to be had regarding the foot sprain he suffered two weeks ago.

Engram is no longer in a walking boot, which he said he shed today, and in addition to feeling better, he told reporters Monday that he’s hoping to return by the end of this week.

“I’m feeling really good; progress is going along really well,” he said Monday in front of his locker. “The trainers are doing a really good job, it’s definitely on the upward trend of getting back soon.”

Engram said he’s been doing a lot of work int he pool to take some of the weight off his healing foot. That work has included running on an underwater treadmill and working with an Alter G machine that allows a rehabbing patient to alter their body weight by gradually adjusting how much stress is put on the healing body part.

Engram said the original diagnosis for his latest injury was two to four weeks, so at this point, he’s right in the middle, if not a little ahead of schedule.

Because of that, he likes his chances of being ready to play this weekend when the Giants visit the Chicago Bears.

“It’s definitely possible,” he said. “We’ll see where we’re at (in the) middle to the end of this week. I’m staying locked in during meetings, game plans and stuff like that. I think as long as I stay prepared mentally and continue to do what I do with my foot, I could be ready to go.”

In other injury news, Solder was excused Monday to tend to a family matter. Ellison (concussion) was still on the side, while Halapio, Shepard, and Jenkins all did some work during individual drills during the part of practice open to the media.

Head coach Shurmur reiterated that he was pleased with the job done by Nick Gates, who filled in for Remmers at right tackle against the Jets.

“Yeah, he did a good job. We anticipated that he would go in and battle. He’s played guard, and he’s played tackle for us in the practice settings and certainly the preseason games, so we felt like if he went in, he would battle like he did,” he said.

But Shurmur stopped short of saying whether Gates would continue to see snaps on the offense if Solder or Remmers weren’t ready to go.

“We’ll just see. He may get a shot. Let’s just wait and see what the week brings,” Shurmur said.