*The Giants defense looks to make adjustments after losing CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to suspension: *
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –Giants coach Ben McAdoo said today cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was suspended for a "violation of team rules."
The team announced this morning that Rodgers-Cromartie is suspended indefinitely. According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, an indefinite suspension can last from one to four weeks.
Asked about his meeting with DRC this morning when he informed the player of his suspension, McAdoo said, "It was a private conversation that will remain private."
The Giants signed cornerback Donte Deayon off their practice squad to replace Rodgers-Cromartie on the roster. They next play Sunday night, against the Broncos in Denver.
*Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said Ross Cockrell has taken most of the snaps in the slot in practice this week. Cockrell was acquired in a Sept. 2 trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
*Spagnuolo declined to address the Rodgers-Cromartie situation. "I'm going to just let it rest on the head coach's comments," he said. Spagnuolo was asked about having, "issues with players."
"It's always going to worry any coach when you're not able to stay with the same 11 or 12 or 13 (players), because we have different packages all the time," Spagnuolo said. "Now, when does that change? It generally changes with injuries or whatever happens. I mean, there's real life going on, too. So when it does happen, we have to adjust. The players, they are still rolling and playing, the guys that have to go in. Coaches, we can't blink. In this league, you have to go on to the next game. You can't blink. You can't be looking backwards. You can't worry about what's already happened. You have to worry about what's going forward. So we kind of put it in that same box. Okay, who has to go now? Then we go. Nobody feeling sorry for you. Things are not going to change."
*Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn said Ed Eagan and Travis Rudolph are the leading contenders to replace the injured Dwayne Harris as the Giants' return specialist. The two wide receivers were signed off the practice squad this week after four players at that position were hurt against the Chargers.
Eagan and Rudolph were the team's leading returners in the preseason. The former averaged 9.0 yards on three kickoff returns, and 22.5 yards on four kickoff returns. Rudolph also ran back three punts, as well as three kickoffs, for a 22.0-yard average.
"Ed Eagan and Travis have done it for us in preseason, so you feel good, you know what to expect out of them," Quinn said. "Ball possession, ball security is obviously the number one thing. When you get a young guy in there, they get real anxious, and it's just about who's going to catch the ball, possess the ball and then we go from there."
A week ago, the punt return depth chart read Harris, Odell Beckham, Jr. and Sterling Shepard. All of them were injured last week, as was another wideout, Brandon Marshall. Shepard was the only one who avoided surgery and will return this season.
"That's why you want to have a lot of guys," Quinn said. "If you just hone in on one guy and one backup, you could get in trouble."
*Six Giants did not practice today: linebacker Jonathan Casillas (neck), safety Landon Collins (ankle), running back Paul Perkins (ribs), center Weston Richburg (concussion), wide receiver Sterling Shepard (ankle), and defensive end Olivier Vernon (ankle).
Defensive end Romeo Okwara (knee) was added to the injury report after he was injured in practice. He was officially listed as limited.
*Vernon last week missed the first game of his six-year career. He had played in 84 games in a row, with 66 consecutive starts for the Miami Dolphins and Giants.
Vernon was evasive when asked if he expects to play on Sunday.
"Just taking it day-by-day," he said. "Trying to see how it feels and go from there.
"I'm feeling good. Better each day. Making progress, so that's a good sign."
