Giants.com's Dan Salomone highlights five takeaways from the latest team practice and media hour:
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- PUGH RETURNED TO PRACTICE; JPP OUT**
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After missing two games because of a knee injury, left guard Justin Pugh returned to practice on Wednesday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. He was able to move around and will be evaluated as the week progresses. "He needs to prove that he can go," coach Ben McAdoo said. "Today, he was just out here moving around a little bit."
Meanwhile, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul missed practice coming off his first multi-sack game since 2014. Pierre-Paul, who has a sore knee, had 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defensed against the Bears. Asked if it was more of a rest day, McAdoo said, "No, he has some swelling. He's sore."
2. INJURY REPORT
In East Rutherford, Pierre-Paul (knee), wide receiver Roger Lewis (concussion), and offensive linemen Marshall Newhouse (knee) and Brett Jones (calf) did not participate in practice. Pugh (knee) and wide receiver Dwayne Harris (wrist) were limited.
In Cleveland, offensive tackle Joe Thomas (knee) and quarterback Cody Kessler (concussion) did not practice. Defensive backs Ed Reynolds (knee), Jamar Taylor (groin) and Tramon Williams (knee) were limited. Defensive back Joe Haden (groin), wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (finger), linebacker Joe Schobert (finger) and tight end Randall Telfer (thumb) were full-go.
3. GIANTS PREP FOR PRYOR
Not since Frank Gifford in 1959 had a player recorded at least 120 receiving yards, 30 passing yards and 20 rushing yards in a single game until Cleveland's Terrelle Pryor Sr. came along. The quarterback-turned-receiver accomplished that feat in Week 3 and leads the Browns with 724 yards and four touchdowns on 56 receptions.
McAdoo, a fellow native of Southwestern Pennsylvania, has noticed. "Going back, I'm familiar with him from his high school days," McAdoo said. "He was a tremendous football, basketball player, you name it. Just a tremendous athlete. You see it just transferring over. It took a little time, but he's made the transition. I believe he is [one of] the highest targeted players in the league. I can see why."
4. McCOWN TO START; RGIII DESIGNATED FOR RETURN
Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III was designated for return from injured reserve today and returned to practice in Cleveland. The former Redskin and 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year suffered a fractured coracoid bone in his left shoulder during the season opener against the Eagles. The Browns have 21 days to activate Griffin or he must remain on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season. On Monday, coach Hue Jackson announced Josh McCown would start at quarterback with Cody Kessler in the concussion protocol. Meanwhile, Eli Manning is set to start in his 205th consecutive game on Sunday.
"That's the way we hope to have it here some day in the near future," Jackson said. "You want a guy that you know is going to be dependable and is going to be out there every snap. I think it gives your team confidence and they know this guy's going to be there every step of the way. Kudos to the Giants for having a franchise quarterback on their team and we hope to have one here soon."
5. NFC EAST TAKES STAGE ON THANKSGIVING
In the late afternoon game on Thanksgiving Day, the 9-1 Dallas Cowboys host the reigning NFC East champion Washington Redskins, who are 6-3-1 in their title defense. Meanwhile, the Giants will come in early on Thursday for practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center before being dismissed. "We have some work to do tomorrow," McAdoo said. "We have to take care of some things tomorrow. I'll get the chance to spend some time with the family I guess in the afternoon."
Will he be watching the games? "I'll be preparing for my son in the afternoon," McAdoo said. "He wants to play a little tackle football. I'll accommodate him. If he wants to watch a little ball, I'll probably watch a little bit. We still have some work to do."
Fifty photos from the 50 games between the Giants and Browns, including postseason
