The New York Giants have clung to the hope that tight end Evan Engram (foot) would make his return against the Chicago Bears in Week 12, but those dreams were dashed on Friday.
Although Engram did not suffer a setback, he simply wasn’t able to get the required clearance and will be an injured inactive on Sunday alongside fellow tight end Rhett Ellison, who was also ruled out with a concussion.
In the absence of Engram and Ellison, the Giants will rely on Scott Simonson, Kaden Smith and possibly Garrett Dickerson, who currently resides on the practice squad.
“[Simonson] came back in really good shape, physical shape. Mentally, he’s done a nice job getting caught up to speed in terms of what we’re doing now. It really helps having a guy that has been here kind of knowing what we do and how we do things. It was good to have him come back,” tight ends coach Lunda Wells told reporters on Friday.
In some much-needed good news, wide receiver Sterling Shepard, left tackle Nate Solder and cornerback Janoris Jenkins did not receive an injury designation, which means all three are likely to clear concussion protocol on Friday night or at some point early on Saturday prior to traveling to Chicago.
All three will meet with the independent neurologist before being cleared.
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