Tag: Evan Engram

Could Kaden Smith be a long-term answer at TE for Giants?

Could Kaden Smith be a long-term answer at the tight end position for the New York Giants?

The New York Giants came into this season with a long line of contenders at the tight end position. They ended up letting a few of them go and 12 weeks into the season, the Giants have found themselves in the odd position of scrambling for bodies.

With Evan Engram (foot) and Rhett Ellison (concussion) still not practicing, the Giants will once again turn to Scott Simonson, who was injured in preseason and signed back to the roster on November 12, and rookie Kaden Smith, picked up on waivers in mid-September.

Smith, a sixth-round pick out of Stanford in this year’s NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, was scooped up on waivers by the Giants after the Niners waived him in Week 3 of the season. San Fran was likely planning for Smith to clear waivers and re-sign him to the practice squad but the Giants had him on their radar.

Against the Bears last week in Chicago, Smith was targeted six times, catching five for 17 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown.

“I thought his first outing was pretty good,” head coach Pat Shurmur said on Wednesday. “We liked him from the get-go. He was a guy we liked last year in the draft. The 49ers picked him up, and then when he was available, we wanted to make him a part of our team. He has good instincts, he’s tough. It wasn’t too big for him.

“Anytime you put a rookie in there for the first time, you wonder. You have all these things you think about a young man. Then you put him in there, you wonder if it’s going to be too big for him and it wasn’t. You walk away from that and say, ‘He did a lot of really good things. There are some things he could do better. But his involvement in the game, he handled it really well so you can build on that.”

Maybe the Giants will build on that. Ellison is under contract for one more season at a cap hit of $7.188 million and Engram is scheduled to have his fifth-year option extended to him next spring.

The Giants may end up parting ways with both. Ellison is not worth that cap hit and Engram has been hurt so often one wonders if the Giants want to stay in business with him.

That’s where Smith and Simonson come in. Naturally, they are cheaper versions of Ellison and neither is on the level of a healthy Engram, but the Giants will take a good, long look at both so if they have to make those hard decisions, they’ll at least have a body of work to draw on.

[lawrence-related id=633749,633714,633739]

Giants injury report: Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison remain sidelined

The New York Giants had four players missing from practice on Wednesday, including tight ends Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison.

The New York Giants returned to practice in East Rutherford on Wednesday as they prepare for a Week 13 matchup against the Green Bay Packers — a team that has struggled to cover opposing tight ends.

Given the Packers’ struggles against tight ends, the Giants are hopeful to have back both Evan Engram (foot) and Rhett Ellison (concussion), but things did not get off to a great start in that realm.

Both Engram and Ellison were non-participants in the portion of practice open to the media and appeared resigned to the sidelines.

In addition to the two tight ends, safety Jabrill Peppers (back) and wide receiver Golden Tate (concussion) were not spotted at practice.

Linebacker Deone Bucannon (ankle) was on the field giving it a go, as was linebacker Kareem Martin (knee), who was designated to return from injured reserve and had his three-week clock officially started.

The Giants’ full practice report can be found below:

Full participant: WR Golden Tate, TE Rhett Ellison, TE Evan Engram, SS Jabrill Peppers

Limited participant: N/A

Non-participant: N/A

[lawrence-related id=633739,633733,633717]

Giants’ Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison out vs. Bears

New York Giants tight ends Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison are out for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

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.

[lawrence-related id=633213,633220,633154]

Giants injury report: Rhett Ellison unlikely to play vs. Bears

New York Giants tight ends Rhett Ellison (concussion) and Evan Engram (concussion) are unlikely to play against the Bears in Week 12.

Prior to practice on Thursday, New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur revealed that tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) would not participate and is unlikely to be cleared in time for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

As the team’s best blocking tight end, that creates problems for the Giants which are likely to be compounded by the absence Evan Engram (foot), who also sat out of practice on Thursday.

If both Engram and Ellison are unable to play, the Giants will lean on Scott Simonson, Kaden Smith and potentially the recently re-signed Garrett Dickerson, who currently resides on the practice squad.

Meanwhile, left tackle Nate Solder (concussion) appeared to be a limited participant in the portion of practice open to the media, but was given a full participation designation by the team.

Finally, cornerback Janoris Jenkins (concussion) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) were once again practicing in full and remain on track to potentially play on Sunday.

Here’s a look at the team’s official injury report for Thursday:

Did not participate: TE Evan Engram (foot) and TE Rhett Ellison (concussion)

Limited participant: N/A

Full participant: LT Nate Solder (concussion), C Jon Halapio (hamstring), CB Janoris Jenkins (concussion), RT Mike Remmers (back) and WR Sterling Shepard (concussion)

[lawrence-related id=633137,633144,633118]

Chicago vs. New York: Which Giants player would you want on the Bears?

While the Giants record is ugly, they have some young talent. Which Giants player would you like to see in Bears’ navy and orange?

The Chicago Bears (4-6) are coming off a brutal loss to the Los Angeles Rams (6-4), and they’re hoping to get back on track against the struggling New York Giants (2-8).

In a rematch of last season’s December meeting at MetLife Stadium, the Bears will be looking to avoid another defeat as they search for what’s left of their crumbling season.

While the Giants record is ugly, there is some young talent on that team, led by star running back Saquon Barkley, tight end Evan Engram and rookie quarterback Daniel Jones.

Which begs the question — which Giants player would you want on the Bears?

VOTE!

[polldaddy poll=10463109]

[lawrence-related id=431256,431229,431248,431232,431181]

Giants injury report: Evan Engram misses practice again

The New York Giants returned to practice on Monday, but were without tight ends Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison.

[jwplayer 6Q40ShvH-ThvAeFxT]

The New York Giants are hopeful that tight end Evan Engram (foot) returns in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears, but early indications are not yielding much optimism.

Engram was not on the field during Monday’s practice, telling reporters afterwards that he had an initial 2-to-4 week recovery timetable and that he had only just shed his boot, but remained encouraged by his progress.

“[A return] this week, towards the end of this week, that’s the plan. Just keep building on that,” Engram said. “It’s definitely possible, I feel good. We’ll see where we’re at (in the) middle to the end of this week. I’m staying locked in in meetings, game plans and stuff like that, that’s very important as well. I think as long as I stay prepared mentally and continue to do what I do with my foot, I could be ready to go.”

In the 48 hours since Engram shed his boot, there haven’t been many forward strides. In fact, Engram remained sidelined on Wednesday during the media portion of practice, putting his Sunday return in jeopardy.

In addition to Engram, fellow tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) was limited to individual drills off on the side, leaving Big Blue exceptionally thin at the position.

On the plus side of things, offensive linemen Nate Solder (concussion/personal matter), Jon Halapio (hamstring) and Mike Remmers (back) all appeared to be practicing in full.

Ditto wide receiver Sterling Shepard and cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who appear to be nearing an exit from concussion protocol but have not been cleared as of yet.

We will share the full injury report below when the Giants release it later this afternoon.

Did not participate: TE Evan Engram (foot) and TE Rhett Ellison (concussion)

Limited participant: LT Nate Solder (concussion)

Full participant: C Jon Halapio (hamstring), CB Janoris Jenkins (concussion), RT Mike Remmers (back) and WR Sterling Shepard (concussion)

[lawrence-related id=633051,633043,633025]

6 things to watch for over the Giants’ final six games

Here are six things (plus more) to watch over the final six games of the New York Giants’ 2019 regular season.

There’s not a whole lot to root for in these 2-8 New York Giants, but fans will be looking for any signs of life– and hope — in Pat Shurmur’s team over the last six games of this lost 2019 season.

Fans are shedding themselves of as many tickets as they can for the remaining three home games (Week 13 vs. Green Bay, Week 15 vs. Miami and Week 17 vs. Philadelphia) and there won’t be a ton of viewers watching on television, either, as the Giants close out their sixth losing season over the last seven years.

But there are a few things to watch for. I like No. 6, so I narrowed (or expanded) the things to watch to that number for the heck of it.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Shurmur

Is he coaching for his Giants life? It doesn’t look like they’ll better last year’s record of 5-11, but if he can only win two or three of the last six games and the team is still a disorganized mess, do the Giants look to move on?

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7

Giants’ Evan Engram optimistic he’ll play vs. Bears

New York Giants TE Evan Engram (foot) shed his boot on Monday and is optimistic he’ll play in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears.

[jwplayer 6Q40ShvH-ThvAeFxT]

New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (foot) was the only player not participating in at least some level of practice on Monday, but that was a decision made by trainers in an effort to keep the talented star on schedule.

“I’m feeling really good, progress is going along really well. The trainers are doing a really good job, it’s definitely on the upward trend of getting back soon,” Engram told reporters. “I’m doing a lot of stuff in the pool, taking some weight off. We have a Alter G machine that kind of varies your body weight, I’ve been running and moving around. I’m gradually working on that and like I said, it’s a day by day thing, improving and getting better. Like I said, the trainers are doing a really good job, we are doing everything we can to get back.”

But when does Engram realistically expect to be back? How about on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

“This week, towards the end of this week, that’s the plan. Just keep building on that,” Engram said. “It’s definitely possible, I feel good. We’ll see where we’re at (in the) middle to the end of this week. I’m staying locked in in meetings, game plans and stuff like that, that’s very important as well. I think as long as I stay prepared mentally and continue to do what I do with my foot, I could be ready to go.”

Engram added that the injury originally carried a 2-to-4 week recovery time frame and that he only shed his walking boot as of Monday morning, so as optimistic as he may be for a Week 12 return, Giants fans should be cautious about sharing in that optimism.

[lawrence-related id=632959,632939,632944]

Giants practice report: Evan Engram remains sidelined

The New York Giants returned to practice on Monday and just about everyone was a go other than TE Evan Engram (foot).

The New York Giants returned to practice on Monday ahead of the team’s Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears, and while there won’t be an official injury report until Wednesday, we were able to test the pulse on several injured players.

On the positive side of things, cornerback Janoris Jenkins (concussion), wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion), right tackle Mike Remmers (back) and center Jon Halapio (hamstring) were all on the field and participating.

Additionally, tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) was working on the sideline with a trainer while rookie offensive lineman George Asafo-Adjei, who is on injured reserve with a concussion, was spotted riding a stationary bike for the first time in months.

Unfortunately, not all was positive on the injury front as tight end Evan Engram (foot) remained sidelined and unable to practice despite coming off of the team’s bye week.

Finally, offensive lineman Nate Solder was not at practice. The team said he was excused for a personal matter and is expected to return this week.

[lawrence-related id=632939,632944,632931]

Stock up, down after Giants’ 34-27 loss to Jets

Whose stock is up and whose is down following the New York Giants’ loss to the New York Jets in Week 10?

The emotions are still settling in after the New York Giants lost to their equally inept co-tenants, the New York Jets, 34-27, on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Several players flashed while others crashed. Here’s quick rundown from Sunday’s game.

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Wide receiver Darius Slayton

Slayton, coming off a down week against Dallas (one reception for six yards), exploded all over the Jets’ secondary grabbing 10 of 14 targets for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Slayton, a fifth round pick out of Auburn in this year’s NFL Draft has forged a sold rapport with quarterback Daniel Jones and now has five receiving touchdowns on the season, tied for the NFL lead among rookies.

Stock Down: Running back Saquon Barkley

No question Barkley’s performance is concerning. He’s been back from his high ankle sprain for three games now and does not appear to have fully recovered from the injury.

Barkley carried the football 13 times against the Jets, gaining just one yard and his pass blocking, an aspect of his game he prides himself in, has taken a step back. He was blown up twice by Jets safety Jamal Adams, with both plays resulting in fumbles by Daniel Jones. One was recovered by Barkley. The other was taken on for a touchdown by Adams.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3