Speaking at his Wednesday press conference, Brian Daboll previewed the Week 7 matchup between the New York Giants (1-5) and Washington Commanders (3-3). Naturally, it began with the status of quarterback Daniel Jones, who missed Sunday night's game in Buffalo due to a neck injury.
Here's what you need to know:
🔹 Jones is "doing better" and "eager to come back." He is cleared to throw but not cleared for contact. The quarterback gets evaluated each day.
🔹 Jones won't take any team reps to start the week but can go through individual drills and help with the scout team. "I think he gets evaluated pretty much every day, so when they tell me he's cleared, that's when he'll be cleared."
🔹 Daboll confirmed Jones' season is "not over."
🔹 Left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) is getting closer but did not practice on Wednesday. The same goes for offensive tackles Evan Neal (ankle) and Matt Peart (shoulder), wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (knee), and rookie center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder).
🔹 Before Daboll took the podium, the Giants announced that they signed offensive lineman Justin Pugh from their practice squad to the active roster. In a corresponding move, the team waived tight end Lawrence Cager. The Giants signed Pugh to their practice squad on Oct. 3 and elevated him to the roster this past Saturday. A day later, he played all 77 snaps in Buffalo.
🔹 On Tuesday, the Giants lost another offensive lineman but made a pair of roster moves to address the manpower shortage on their injury-ravaged line. Ezeudu, the Giants' starting left tackle in the previous five games, was placed on injured reserve with a toe injury he suffered Sunday night in Buffalo. The second-year pro was hurt in the first quarter of the Giants' loss, did not return to the game, and left the locker room in a walking boot. The Giants bolstered their line by signing a pair of linemen off other teams' practice squads, versatile former Giant Tyre Phillips (Philadelphia) and tackle Josh Miles (Atlanta).
🔹 Daboll said Ezeudu has a chance to return this year.
🔹 Will Pugh be the team's starting left tackle if Thomas can't go again? "We'll see. We got a bunch of new guys today."
🔹 Daboll said Pugh "did some good things" at left tackle. They'll give him reps in practice and get him ready to go. He does a good job of staying in front of guys, has quick feet, can get to the second level, and has a lot of experience.
🔹 Asked about defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson not playing as much recently, Daboll said it's because they have been in more nickel than base defense. "That's kind of the reason, but we'll work with him, put him in some different little spots here based on how we're getting played to make sure he gets in there more."
🔹 Rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has "got to play." Practice is important, but Daboll said you have to get him game reps. Each week he gets better. "You can go out here and practice and do that, which is important, but you've got to get some game reps and run routes against DBs that are playing in the NFL in a competitive way. I think each week, he's gotten a little bit better. There's a lot to learn when you're a young player, but he's done a good job of practicing the right way, of preparing. I think he's got some good talent, and we're going to play him."
🔹 More on Hyatt: "I mean, you're a rookie. It's a hard position to play, receiver. I coached it for six years. There weren't many rookie receivers that I've had that have played right away. (Wide receiver) Deion Branch comes to mind as one of them. But it's a learning experience when you're a young receiver. There's a lot of different things that happen that maybe didn't happen to him in college relative to whether it's press coverage, certain adjustments, things like that, and that happens for most. The position, when I coached receivers, it takes a little bit of time for younger players."
🔹 Daboll said running back Saquon Barkley will be limited to make sure he gets to gameday. Barkley made his return on Sunday night from an ankle injury. "I'd say he's in a good spot."
🔹 Asked about current Commanders center and former Giant Nick Gates, Daboll said they appreciated his time and he's doing a good job in Washington. "He's a tough guy."
🔹 Commanders quarterback Sam Howell "slings it" and is "not afraid to turn it loose." He has a good arm and stands in the pocket. Daboll liked him coming out of college.
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