The Giants returned to the practice field at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center for the first of many training camp practices.
General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll met with the media prior to the start of practice, while quarterback Daniel Jones and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas spoke after the training session.
Here are five things we learned on the first day of training camp.
1. Daniel Jones fully cleared for 11-on-11 drills
Over the last few months, Daniel Jones has repeatedly stated that he expected to be cleared for the start of training camp. With Day 1 finally here, Jones met those expectations. Brian Daboll told the media prior to the start of practice that the sixth-year quarterback would partake in 11-on-11 drills for the first time this year.
"He's getting all the reps today," Daboll said. "He'll get them with the ones every day. If we need to pull him back for whatever reason, maintenance, then we'll talk about that after every practice. But right now, he will be in there every snap that the ones are in."
"And, we have to see how the body reacts," Schoen added. "We don't know. In spring he did not do team drills. He's eight months off of it. So we're going to work with him and he's got to communicate with us on how his body feels, how the knee feels. That will determine how much he does moving forward. But the plan is to be a full go."
Sure enough, Jones took every snap under center with the starting offense. The signal-caller moved around the pocket well, scrambling outside on a few occasions while picking up a first down with his legs on one play. He connected on a couple of short passes, with wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson being his main target.
"It felt good to be back out there," Jones told reporters. "Playing 11-on-11. I thought for the most part it went well. A couple of plays here and there, but for the most part, we kept the ball moving forward and stayed out of negative plays. The first day, we are all getting our feet underneath us, so build on it and go from there."
View photos from Wednesday's practice as the Giants took the field for the first time at training camp.
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
DL Timmy Horne (96)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
WR Malik Nabers (9), CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
C Jimmy Morrissey (67)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
RB Eric Gray (20)
WR Malik Nabers (9), CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
G Jalen Mayfield (62)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
C Jimmy Morrissey (67)
C Jimmy Morrissey (67), DT Jordon Riley (95)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Alex Johnson (25)
LB Matthew Adams (49)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Dante Miller (25)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Drew Lock (2)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Benton Whitley (48)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Tomon Fox (45), OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
OLB Ovie Oghoufo (46)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
DT Casey Rogers (91)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Tomon Fox (45)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Tomon Fox (45)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
T Matt Nelson (68)
T Matt Nelson (68)
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
TE Chris Manhertz (85)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
TE Chris Manhertz (85)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54), ILB Darius Muasau (53), ILB Darrian Beavers (43), ILB Micah McFadden (41), ILB Bobby Okereke (58), ILB Carter Coughlin (52), LB Matthew Adams (49)
RB Dante Miller (25)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
DT Casey Rogers (91)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
DT Casey Rogers (91)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Tomon Fox (45)
TE Chris Manhertz (85)
RB Dante Miller (25)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
DL Timmy Horne (96)
S Dane Belton (24)
DL Timmy Horne (96)
DL Timmy Horne (96)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DT Jordan Phillips (99)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DL Timmy Horne (96)
WR Allen Robinson II (5)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
CB Alex Johnson (25)
S Gervarrius Owens (39)
Charlie Bullen Outside Linebackers Coach
S Gervarrius Owens (39)
DB Elijah Riley (34)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
Charlie Bullen Outside Linebackers Coach
S Tyler Nubin (31)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, (9) WR Malik Nabers (9)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), QB Daniel Jones (8)
2. Evan Neal 'not far' from return
The Giants made several roster moves Tuesday after veterans arrived for camp, including the placement of tackle Evan Neal on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. Neal aggravated an ankle injury during last year's Week 8 game in Las Vegas and underwent surgery in early January. While he did participate in some of the team's offseason program, he was not on the field during minicamp last month. While speaking to reporters Wednesday morning, Joe Schoen indicated they don't expect Neal to be out for too long.
"He's got to get healthy," said Schoen. "Then we'll determine and all those other things will take care of itself. Right now, we're focused on him day by day. He'll be off to the side. The training staff is going to ease him back in there. How he plays and his contribution to the team will take care of itself from there…
"He's not far. He's not far. He's been working hard all summer. Yeah, he's been working hard all summer. He's been doing everything he can to get back on the field. And, again, we're going to communicate with our trainers and strength staff. When he's ready to go, then he'll be out there."
With Neal sidelined, Daboll told the media that free agent addition Jermaine Eluemunor, who spent the spring playing left guard, would slide over to right tackle, while Aaron Stinnie take over at guard. An apparent blow to his midsection midway through practice forced Eluemunor to leave early, which led to Joshua Ezeudu taking over for him at right tackle.
3. Malik Nabers will be used 'in a variety of spots'
Since the Giants selected Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in this year's draft, we have heard Schoen and Daboll discuss their plan to use the talented receiver all over the field. Nabers enjoyed plenty of success lining up both outside and in the slot at LSU last season as he racked up 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. This likely gave the coaching staff plenty of confidence in positioning the rookie wideout just about anywhere on offense, which we already saw on full display on Day 1 of training camp.
"We're going to use him in a variety of spots," the head coach said. "Keep learning and growing in the offense. Do what he needs to do each day in practice. Do the things he needs to do outside of the building. Compete his tail off, which I know he will. Looking forward to watching him."
"It's been good," Jones said after practice about his chemistry with the rookie. "We spent some good time this summer together. It's the first day, and he made some plays, you haven't seen that (drops) much, but he'll be a big time for us. He's played well, played well in the spring, and it has been good to be with him this summer. I'm sure he'll have a good camp. So, we'll continue to grow and build chemistry, and the more time out there together, the better."
4. Andrew Thomas: Carmen Bricillo is 'very detailed'
The Giants struggles along the offensive line last season have been well-documented. A big part of that was the injury suffered by left tackle Andrew Thomas early in the season opener, which forced the former second-team All-Pro to miss the next seven games. While Thomas was on the field for some of the team's offseason program, he did not participate fully in 11-on-11 drills. With training camp finally here, this was no longer the case as the 25-year-old was out there at left tackle with the first-team offense.
"I'm excited, man," the left tackle said. "I had five weeks. It went by quick. I was down in Atlanta, spending some time with family but I'm excited to be back, I love football, it's the best time of the year."
While the Giants signed numerous free agents to help improve the offensive line, perhaps the biggest addition to the group came in the form their new position coach. Carmen Bricillo was a large factor in the Las Vegas Raiders' success on the O-line over the last two seasons, and has already earned rave reviews from every lineman that has spoken to the media this year. Thomas added to that praise on Wednesday.
"I would say he's very detailed," said Thomas. "He's been in the system for a while, he was in New England, that's where Dabs (Head Coach Brian Daboll) was, where he developed his offensive system. He does a great job, especially for the young guys because we have a lot of nuances going into the offense. He does a good with the NASCAR term, explaining exactly what it means, what's your assignment, and I think that's good for the young guys."
5. Theo Johnson should return 'soon,' other injury updates
Rookie tight end Theo Johnson was placed on the PUP list after rookies reported to camp last week. The fourth-round played well throughout the spring, and given Darren Waller's retirement last month, has an opportunity to compete for playing time right away. While sidelined for the start of camp, it does not sound like it will be that long before we see Johnson back out there.
"Theo should be back soon," Schoen stated. "You'll see him on the side. I don't anticipate him being out very long."
Cornerback Aaron Robinson is the third and final player to start the summer on the active/PUP list. We last saw Robinson in Week 4 of the 2022 season when he tore his ACL. The cornerback spent the entire 2023 season on the physically unable to perform list.
"He's still trying to get back…" said Schoen. "Every injury and the way the body reacts is different, and the individuals have to deal with the medical, and we don't know how they feel coming off the injuries. But, we're rooting for A-Rob (Aaron Robinson), obviously. You know, started some games early in our tenure here, and we're just waiting for him to hopefully get back."
Finally, two players were placed on the reserve/non-football injury list Tuesday – veterans Jalen Mills and Stantley Thomas-Oliver. Players placed on the reserve/NFI list are treated the same as guys on the active/PUP list, meaning they can be activated and return to practice at any point. The only difference is that these players suffered injuries outside of team activities. Schoen indicated that they expect both defensive backs to be back on the field soon.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2024 cycle.
LB Carter Coughlin - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)
LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)
LB Curtis Bolton - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 7)
ILB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad Veteran (September 6)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 6)
ILB Carter Coughlin - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 5)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 4)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 3)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (September 2)
WR Miles Boykin - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 2)
CB Adoree' Jackson - Free Agent Signing (August 31)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 31)
S Gervarrius Owens - Practice Squad (August 30)
LB K.J. Cloyd - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 30)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (August 29)
C Austin Schlottmann - Reserve/Injured (August 29)
DB Duke Shelley - Practice Squad Veteran (August 29)
DE Elijah Garcia - Practice Squad (August 29)
DB Art Green - Practice Squad (August 29)
LB Curtis Bolton - Free Agent Signing (August 28)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)
K Jude McAtamney - International Practice Player Signing (August 28)
WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, WR Isaiah Hodgins, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, OT Joshua Miles, LB Ty Summers - Practice Squad Veteran (August 28)
LB K.J. Cloyd, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, RB Dante Miller, DL Casey Rogers - Practice Squad (August 28)
S Anthony Johnson - Claimed off Waivers from GB (August 28)
S Gervarrius Owens - Waived, No Recall (August 28)
LB Matthew Adams - Reserve/Injured - Designated for Return (August 27)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Reserve/Injured; Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)
LB Darrian Beavers, LB K.J. Cloyd, LB Tomon Fox, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, K Jude McAtamney, RB Dante Miller, C Jimmy Morrissey, DT Casey Rogers, TE Jack Stoll - Waived (August 27)
WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, DB Tre Herndon, WR Isaiah Hodgins, DB Darnay Holmes, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, DB David Long, OT Joshua Miles, OT Matt Nelson, WR Allen Robinson - Terminated, Vested Veteran (August 27)
DB Mario Goodrich, G Jalen Mayfield, DE Ovie Oghoufo - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)
RB Joshua Kelley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)
DB Breon Borders - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)
DB Jonathan Sutherland - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)
DT Timmy Horne - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)
WR Ayir Asante, DT Kyler Baugh, DB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, T Marcus McKethan - Waived, No Recall (August 25)
DB Clayton Isbell - Free Agent Signing (August 20)
WR Dennis Houston - Waived/Injured (August 20)
DT Kyler Baugh - Free Agent Signing (August 19)
LB Trey Kiser - Free Agent Signing (August 19)
DL Ryder Anderson - Waived/Injured (August 19)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Injured (August 19)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
TE Tyree Jackson - Waived/Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 16)
RB Joshua Kelley - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
S Raheem Layne - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
S Jonathan Sutherland - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
DL Jordan Phillips - Traded to Dallas Cowboys (August 15)
S Jalen Mills - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Failed Physical (August 15)
DB Elijah Riley - Reserve/Injured (August 15)
RB Lorenzo Lingard - Free Agent Signing (August 12)
RB Jacob Saylors - Waived, No Recall (August 11)
OT Evan Neal - Passed Physical (August 11)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Waived, No Recall (August 11)
LB K.J. Cloyd - Free Agent Signing (August 11)
CB Christian Holmes - Claimed off Waivers from WAS (August 5)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived/Injured (August 5)
CB Mario Goodrich - Claimed off Waivers from PHI (July 31)
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Non-Football Injury (July 31)
OL Greg Van Roten - Free Agent Signing (July 30)
CB Aaron Robinson - Waived, Failed Physical (July 30)
DB Breon Borders - Free Agent Signing (July 28)
QB Nathan Rourke - Waived, No Recall (July 28)
TE Theo Johnson - Passed Physical (July 28)
OT Evan Neal - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
DB Jalen Mills - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
TE Theo Johnson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 16)
RB Jacob Saylors - Free Agent Signing (June 18)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Injured (June 18)
CB Tre Herndon - Free Agent Signing (June 12)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Retired (June 10)
S Tyler Nubin - Selection List Signing (May 31)
DB Elijah Riley - Free Agent Signing (May 30)
RB Gary Brightwell - Waived, Injured (May 30)
TE Theo Johnson - Selection List Signing (May 22)
LB Darius Muasau - Selection List Signing (May 15)
CB Dru Phillips - Selection List Signing (May 14)
DL Elijah Chatman - Free Agent Signing (May 13)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Waived (May 13)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. - Selection List Signing (May 10)
WR Malik Nabers - Selection List Signing (May 10)
K Jude McAtamney - Free Agent Signing: Exempt/International Player (May 10)
WR Ayir Asante, WR John Jiles, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, G Jake Kubas, DE Ovie Oghoufo, DL Casey Rogers - Free Agent Signing (May 10)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, Injured (May 10)
WR Allen Robinson - Free Agent Signing (May 9)
QB Nathan Rourke - Claimed off waivers from New England (May 7)
DB David Long - Free Agent Signing (May 1)
Giants select LB Darius Muasau with No. 183 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. with No. 166 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select TE Theo Johnson with No. 107 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select CB Dru Phillips with No. 70 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select S Tyler Nubin with No. 47 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select WR Malik Nabers with No. 6 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
DB Nick McCloud - Restricted Free Agent Signing (April 15)
LB Matthew Adams - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 12)
DL Jordan Phillips - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 11)
WR Miles Boykin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 9)
S/LB Isaiah Simmons - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 5)
RB Dante Miller - Free Agent Signing (April 5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Free Agent Signing (March 24)
CB Darnay Holmes - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OT Matt Nelson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OL Austin Schlottmann - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
OL Aaron Stinnie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
TE Chris Manhertz - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
TE Jack Stoll - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 15)
OL Jon Runyan - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OL Jermaine Eluemunor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
RB Devin Singletary - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
QB Drew Lock - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
DB Jalen Mills - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR/PR Gunner Olszewski - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
LB Carter Coughlin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OLB Brian Burns - Acquired via trade with Carolina Panthers (March 13)
LB Benton Whitley - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
G Mark Glowinski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 4)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
LB Tomon Fox - Reserve/Future Signing (January 10)
DL Ryder Anderson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
WR Dennis Houston - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
RB Deon Jackson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
G Jalen Mayfield - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Joshua Miles - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
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