The New York Giants held their first full practice in pads on Monday, marking an exciting milestone as they gear up for the upcoming NFL season. Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter expressed enthusiasm for the physicality of practice, saying, “We get to be more physical, like play some real football now.”
However, the day was overshadowed by a significant injury to wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who suffered a torn Achilles during Sunday’s session and has been placed on injured reserve. Coach Brian Daboll expressed his sympathy, stating, “My heart aches for that man. We’ll certainly miss him.” Ford-Wheaton’s injury is particularly unfortunate as it follows a previous ACL tear that sidelined him for his rookie season.
Several other players were also missing from Monday’s practice. Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson was held out due to a quad injury sustained in practice, but Daboll reassured fans that it was not severe. Rookie receiver Jalin Hyatt continued to miss practice due to cramping issues.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart had a relatively quiet day, completing 4-of-6 passes as the focus shifted to the ground game. His recent improvement is noteworthy, especially following a strong performance in the previous practice where he completed 11-of-13 passes.
The Giants’ run-heavy strategy on Monday meant starting quarterback Russell Wilson only attempted four passes during his reps. The offensive line showed promise, especially as rookie running back Cam Skattebo took some starting reps, demonstrating his impressive vision and integration into the offense.
The competitive nature of camp was evident as tensions were high during one-on-one drills, highlighted by interactions between James Hudson and Kayvon Thibodeaux. This intensity is vital for building team chemistry and can ultimately help sharpen the skills of both offense and defense.
With injuries to key players, the emergence of undrafted free agent Dalen Cambre could be pivotal as he steps into a starting role alongside other receivers. The Giants will continue their preparations with another practice scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m., which is open to fans.
This early camp experience serves not just as physical training but as a crucial opportunity for younger players to prove themselves on a larger stage. Keeping spirits high, players remain focused on the challenge ahead, knowing that success cannot be defined by potential alone.
As training camp progresses, the Giants remain hopeful that their resilience and depth will carry them through challenges. The combination of a committed coaching staff and eager young talent suggests an encouraging path forward for the team.