Between injuries, performance, and trans-Atlantic travel, the staff and front office have a busy short week ahead of them.
Quarterback
Best case scenario: Jones’s ankle is OK and Taylor clears the concussion protocol. If both or one of these things happen, the Giants can get by with just one move: elevating Davis Webb. Otherwise, they may have to either lure Matt Barkley from Buffalo’s practice squad or go week-to-week with a band-aid like Brian Lewerke.
Offensive Line
This unit was already a Titanic mess. Now Bobby Johnson may have to rearrange the deck chairs to plug holes at RT and RG. Glowinski appears to be OK, but Evan Neal is a huge question mark. There is enough spare furniture on the roster, so no moves are necessary unless both starters are out. Devery Hamilton was “next man up” against Chicago, but healthy scratch Tyre Phillips is also a candidate to replace Neal. P-squadder Will Holden probably makes the trip as insurance and to complete the second-string line in the London practice. On a happier note, there will be a feel-good move when Nick Gates rejoins practice from the PUP list. Shane Lemieux is also eligible to return from IR. Neither is likely to contribute in the near term.
Wide Receiver
Can it get any worse? Golladay joined Toney and Robinson on injury list. He, Sills, and Slayton all seem to be playing their way out of the League. That leaves Richie James, who nearly fumbled away Sunday’s game on a punt return. Marcus Johnson will be elevated again; Kalil Pimpleton might join him and take over return duties, allowing James to focus on his role as (good grief) WR1. Makai Polk is a big target who probably needs more time to learn the offense. Buffalo P-Squadder Isaiah Hodgins resembles Polk, and might also be an option.
Defensive Line
Henry Mondeaux was the placeholder for Leonard Williams, with Nick Williams taking most of the snaps. Now he’s hurt too. Rookie Ryder Anderson is the next man up. Late cuts Jalyn Holmes and David Moa are street FAs.
Edge
Hoping Thibodeaux, Ojulari and Ward are OK for Sunday. Of the three, only Ojulari appears to in doubt. FWIW, Elerson Smith is eligible to return.
Inside Linebacker
Calitro was a healthy scratch. His days may be numbered, though I think his salary is guaranteed because he’s vested. Tae Crowder appears safe after a strong game Sunday. Jaylon Smith just jumped from the street to the lineup, so turnover at this position may not be done.
Defensive Backs
Moves here will hinge on the condition of Julian Love, Aaron Robinson and Cordale Flott. So there could be multiple moves, or none. Kudos to the front office for securing veteran depth in Fabian Moreau and Tony Jefferson.
RB and TE appear unscathed, so far, as do the specialists. Ironically, as bad as they are, the tight ends now qualify as a strength of this offense. 🤷♂️
I thought Neal said he was ok after game.
Just for contrast with Calitro. They were both awful in September. Crowder was slightly less awful, and harder to replace. Now he's a mainstay, at least for a week. As Eric noted, that performance against Chicago was WAY off Crowder's trend line.
One thing is it is tough to play in this league on short rest and coming off that MNF loss, that 1 day less practice killed them.
I'm going to assume most of the players hurt this week won't play next week. No one who actually had a concussion is playing. The Giants are not going to risk that - ever - thank g-d.
I've got Taylor, Love, Golladay and A Rob and Azeez out for this one, in addition to Mondeaux.
They also are going to have to make some roster moves. I think you have to bring in a 3rd QB. It probably has to be Matt Barkley if he'll sign. So I think you have to look at who you are going to cut / IR.
Of those players I think A Rob is definitely going on IR and Calitro is getting cut. After that it gets interesting. You can't keep carrying injured WRs. With Golladay, Wandale and Toney on that list I think one of them go on IR.
Further moves depend on who can play this week.
I kind of expect Leo Williams back. I'm hopeful one of the WRs is back and that its Wandale to take Shep's reps.
Wow, thanks! ☺️
It's more like who we got left?
Typically, an NFL team spends about two and a half days in London, from Friday morning to Sunday evening. That means flying overnight on Thursday. Year-round daylight savings in the US may have changed the timing a bit.
Typically, an NFL team spends about two and a half days in London, from Friday morning to Sunday evening. That means flying overnight on Thursday. Year-round daylight savings in the US may have changed the timing a bit.
The year round DST was passed this year but will take effect in 2023 - hope enjoy the extra hour next week!
Anyway, getting back to roster moves, if the Giants are leaving Thursday night, we might get some early clues about injuries, based on who makes the trip. That’s probably why Daboll mentioned Thursday as a key decision day. With regard to Practice Squad elevations/promotions, PS members normally don’t travel to road games, but the League makes an exception for certain long trips, including London. So the whole squad might go to London, even a new arrival like Klein.
It's more like who we got left?
Sorry I'm late, Jimmy!