FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Kyle Rudolph joined his Giants teammates on the field for the first time today and inquiring minds wanted to know if he could feel pain or soreness in his surgically-repaired foot.
"I'm 31 years old and I've played a lot of football," Rudolph said after the first of two joint practices with the New England Patriots. "I feel pretty much everything. That's just the nature of this game. But I tell you one thing I felt, it felt damn good to be back out on the practice field today with my teammates."
It had been a long time coming. The 6-6, 265-pound tight end joined the Giants on March 24 after 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. But the surgery forced him to spend the entire spring and first month of training camp rehabilitating. He was finally permitted to practice today after passing his physical and getting removed from the physically unable to perform/active list.
"This was the first football I've gotten to play since December," Rudolph said. "I've still got a long way to go, a lot of work left ahead, but this is what I love to do. The last few months have been tough just watching each and every day, but I've got to give a ton of credit to our medical staff, our trainers, our doctors. Here I am today back at practice and it felt damn good."
The Giants will proceed slowly with Rudolph, who was limited to individual drills. Though eager to jump back into the action, he declined to speculate if he will be ready for the Sept. 12 season opener vs. Denver.
"These next couple of weeks are huge," Rudolph said. "I just was able to get my feet wet today, but I've got a lot of work left to do. I'm just going to keep working each and every day, chipping away at it. One of my favorite sayings is, 'You eat an elephant one bite at a time, so if I look two weeks from now as, 'Oh my God, how am I going to get ready to play a game', I'll never get there. But if I just take it each day a time, I'll be happy with where I'm at in two weeks."
Asked if his objective is to be ready by opening day, Rudolph said, "My goal is to get better each and every day and make sure that I'm in shape to go when this team needs me."
View photos of the Giants practicing with the Patriots in New England ahead of Sunday's preseason finale.
Daniel Jones (8)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Andrew Thomas (78)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
Will Hernandez (71)
New York Giants wide receiver David Sills V (84) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
Sterling Shepard (3)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Devontae Booker (28)
Devontae Booker (28)
Joe Judge, Bill Belichick
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Keion Crossen (37)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
John Ross (12), Austin Mack (81)
Evan Engram (88)
Leonard Williams (99)
Cam Brown (47)
Devante Downs (52)
Leonard Williams (99)
Leonard Williams (99)
Matt Peart (74)
Ted Larson (69)
Joe Judge, Bill Belichick
Rodarius Williams (25), Kadarius Toney (89)
B.J. Hill (95), Jake Burton (70)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Will Hernandez (71)
Matt Cole (83)
Matt Cole (83)
David Moa (96)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
David Sills V (84)
David Moa (96)
Willie Henry (90)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Devontae Booker (28)
Willie Henry (90)
Kenny Wiggins (79)
Nick Gates (65)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Alex Bachman (15)
Darius Slayton (86)
Dante Pettis (13)
Dante Pettis (13)
Alex Bachman (15)
Evan Engram (88)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Jake Burton (70)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Head Coach Joe Judge
Evan Engram (88)
Evan Engram (88)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Leonard Williams (99)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Devontae Booker (28)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Corey Clement (30)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Corey Clement (30)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Will Hernandez (71)
Logan Ryan (23)
David Sills V (84)
Julian Love (20)
Rodarius Williams (25), Kadarius Toney (89)
Logan Ryan (23)
Trent Harris (93)
Daniel Jones (8)
Head Coach Joe Judge
Kenny Golladay (19)
Nate Solder (76)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
Jason Garrett
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants wide receiver David Sills V (84) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
A look down the line of scrimmage during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants running back Corey Clement (30) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants center Jonotthan Harrison (64) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
A look down the line of scrimmage during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants offensive tackle Jackson Barton (72) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
A look down the line of scrimmage during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants guard Chad Slade (62) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants tight end Kaden Smith (82) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell (37) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants fullback Cullen Gillaspia (36) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants tight ends Evan Engram (88) and Kyle Rudolph (80) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talk with the officials during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell (37) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) arrives before a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) arrives for a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) arrives for practice before a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) talks with New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) before a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants running back coach Burton Burns watchers running backs Corey Clement, (30) and Eli Penny (39) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants running back Corey Clement (30) warms up during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) and New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) step on the field at the start of a joint NFL football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge steps on the field at the start of a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram warms up during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson performs field drills during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes the ball during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge, left, and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, speak during a joint NFL football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steen Senne)
New York Giants tight end Nakie Griffin-Stewart performs field drills during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants wide receiver Alex Bachman makes a catch during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes the ball during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants running back Sandro Platzgummer makes a catch during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge steps on the field at the start of a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Rudolph was considered one of the Giants' most important offseason acquisitions. The team hoped he could join newcomer wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney and returning running back Saquon Barkley to provide an array of weapons for quarterback Daniel Jones and invigorate the offense. But Golladay and Toney have missed much of training camp with injuries and Barkley and Rudolph have yet to participate in team drills.
With 453 regular-season receptions and 48 touchdowns, Rudolph arrived with an impressive resume. But given his lack of work, Joe Judge was understandably cautious when asked what a healthy Rudolph can do for Jones.
"We'll have to wait and see," Judge said. "We haven't seen him on the field with Daniel. That'd be unfair to make some kind of prediction or statement for him right now. I know he's working very hard. He obviously has a very accomplished resume. He's a good player. He brings a lot of value in situational football. He's a big target with good hands. You know what, we'll just wait until we see him and Daniel really working together in team situations."
Rudolph's teammates were thrilled to have him on field, even with his limited activity.
"He's played a lot of football at a really high level," Jones said. "He knows the game inside and out. He knows how to make plays. He knows how to get up and catch the ball. I think he'll make a difference for us and I'm excited to get him out there."
Evan Engram, a Pro Bowl tight end last season, said Rudolph adds "everything" to the group.
"He's a receiving threat, he's a blocking threat, he's really smart in the film room," Engram said. "I learn from him. Every meeting he teaches me something and I know it's the same for the rest of the guys. He literally is going to help us in every aspect of the game and I'm really excited about it."
The Giants believe Rudolph and the 6-4 Golladay can be frequent receivers in the red zone. Rudolph said the reason he is so effective in that area is obvious.
"Just a big target," he said. "I've got a lot of basketball in my background. You see carryover between the game of basketball and the tight end position. The thing about the red zone is the windows are a lot tighter, there's a lot less space, but I try to (take) a lot of pride in making tight-window catches and when the quarterback has the confidence in me to throw me the ball in a tight window, catch it for him."
But for Jones to have that conviction, he must develop a rapport with Rudolph, who concurs the partnership is important but will let it develop organically.
When Rudolph underwent surgery, he expressed confidence he would miss no games. He's neither guaranteeing that will be true nor backtracking on his prediction.
"I'm just going to keep working each and every day to make sure that I'm continuing to progress the way I have for the last five months," he said. "Two weeks from now, we'll look up and see where we're at.
"(There is) no change. It's just been, like I said, from the day I had the surgery trying to get better one day at a time with the goal being Week 1."
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