Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Evan Engram Optimistic About Return, and Other Giants Injury Updates
The Giants have yet to field an offense with all of their key skill position players--receivers Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard, running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Evan Engram--on the field at once.
While it’s unlikely they’ll be able to do so again this weekend when they host the Arizona Cardinals, they will be taking a more significant step forward to being full strength.
Things are looking promising for the return of Barkley (ankle) and Engram (knee) from their respective injuries, as both took a full practice load Wednesday.
If they are green-lighted by the medical staff, they will join Golden Tate, who missed the first four games due to a league-imposed suspension, when the Giants kick off Sunday at home.
“I felt really good; today was a really good day,” Engram said. “I was going full speed, felt comfortable with everything. So I’ll definitely be ready to go.”
The timing of Engram’s return is especially important as the Cardinals’ defense has struggled to defend opposing tight ends. In six games played, the Cardinals have allowed three tight ends to exceed 100-yard receiving.
“I mean they play a lot of good tight ends,” Engram said of the Cardinals’ struggles against the position. “Their defense is doing a lot of different things, and they’re doing a really good job of putting their guys in the right positions.”
In addition to Engram, running back Saquon Barkley was a full participant in practice and looked as though he’d be back on the field after missing just three of the initially projected 4-8 weeks many outside sources had him missing.
In the first three games with Barkley in the lineup, the Giants’ ground game averaged 117.3 yards per game. Without Barkley, that average fell to 93.3 yards per game.
“I’m excited to be on the field with him and block for him and whatever is needed to help him score and help us win,” said Tate. “He’s a huge part of this offense, we’re excited about it. We have to do our jobs the best we can to spring each other.”
“We’ll just see what the week holds,” head coach Pat Shurmur said when asked if Barkley and Engram were good to go for Sunday.
“I’m sure everyone has questions with regard to it, but they practiced today, and they did well. So we’ll see.”
If Barkley and Engram do get the green light to return, don’t expect their reps to be limited as a precautionary.
“Well, it’s the middle of October, and we’re playing ball,” Shurmur said. “Players that are deemed healthy, you try to use them to the best of their ability and maximize what they can do to help impact the game.”
In other injury news, running back Wayne Gallman, receiver Sterling Shepard and defensive lineman Olsen Pierre, all of whom are in the league’s concussion protocol, were limited in Wednesday’s practice, listed as non-contact participants.
That is significant because it means all three are in the advanced stages of the protocol and barring any unexpected setbacks, all three are likely not too far away from returning to action.
Rookie cornerback and kickoff return specialist Corey Ballentine was the only Giant who didn’t practice after experiencing a persistent headache. Team doctors examined Ballentine and placed int the concussion protocol.
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