The New York Giants will take on the New Orleans Saints without three key contributors on offense.
Wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, who sustained hamstring injuries in last week's 17-14 loss to Atlanta, and guard Ben Bredeson (hand) were ruled out for Week 4. In addition, linebacker and team captain Blake Martinez was placed on injured reserve this week after suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Coach Joe Judge did not announce who will start for Bredson at left guard – candidates include Matt Skura and Wes Martin – as the team will start its fourth player at the position in as many games. Shane Lemieux and Nick Gates have both undergone surgeries and were placed on injured reserve.
The injuries at receiver will present more opportunities for Kenny Golladay and rookie first-round pick Kadarius Toney, who grew up less than 150 miles from New Orleans in Mobile, Ala. John Ross was also activated off injured reserve and is in line to make his Giants debut.
"I'm not feeling it as pressure at all," Golladay said this week. "I've been in situations where receivers have (gone) down. At the end of the day, I've still got to do my job – and that's make plays. I'm not going to do more than what I'm asked to do."
"Like I've said from the beginning, [Toney's] role has grown as he's been on the field more, more available and building more experience in the system and chemistry," coach Joe Judge said. "His role has improved every week and increased every week, so we would expect that to be the same this week. He had a good day of practice yesterday for us, so it was encouraging. He'll be out here today and kind of go back to the game plan with him.
"In terms of who we have available, we'll have a number of guys up at the game. All the receivers will play, obviously. A number of guys will play on offense. Guys will have roles in the kicking game, as well. I would expect him to be doing more than what we've seen in previous weeks, just naturally, not based on anyone being injured. Just naturally based on his progression within the system."
The Giants listed four players as questionable on the team's final injury report – linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstring), tight end Kaden Smith (knee), and defensive backs Keion Crossen (elbow) and Nate Ebner (quad) – but all will suit up against the Saints.
Meanwhile, New Orleans will play without injured center Erik McCoy (calf) and left tackle Terron Armstead (elbow), both starters on the Saints' offensive line.
Below is a look at the Week 4 inactive list, which is released 90 minutes prior to kickoff:
GIANTS INACTIVES
- OL Ben Bredeson (hand)
- WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring)
- WR Darius Slayton (hamstring)
- CB Josh Jackson
- CB Sam Beal
- DE Raymond Johnson
SAINTS INACTIVES
- C Erik McCoy (calf)
- OT Terron Armstead (elbow)
- QB Ian Book
- CB Desmond Trufant
- DE Montravius Adams
- WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey
View photos from the all-time series between the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints.
Single Game Tickets
A limited number of Giants 2021 single game tickets are on sale now