Tag: John Michael Schmitz

Giants list an astonishing 21 players on injury report

The New York Giants listed an astonishing 21 players on their Wednesday injury report, including linebackers Brian Burns and Bobby Okereke.

The New York Giants returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for a Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Before taking the field, head coach Brian Daboll stepped up to the podium and spoke with reporters.

Two days after lacking clarity on the quarterback situation, Daboll revealed that Drew Lock is expected to start on Sunday barring a setback. He also expects Tommy DeVito to clear concussion protocol and serve as QB3.

“Drew should be okay,” Daboll told reporters. “(DeVito) moving through the protocol. He’ll do something today. I envision him being — I mean, who knows with concussions, but he’ll have a chance. If he is, he’ll be number two.”

Tim Boyle, who took over in Week 15, will fill the role of emergency third quarterback.

Meanwhile, Daboll revealed that linebacker Patrick Johnson will likely miss Sunday’s game with a knee issue.

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Aaron Stinnie (concussion), LB Bobby Okereke (backs), LB Brian Burns (ankle), LB Patrick Johnson (knee), CB Greg Stroman Jr. (shoulder/shin)

Limited participant: QB Tommy DeVito (concussion), QB Drew Lock (heel/elbow), CB Deonte Banks (ribs), S Dane Belton (knee), DL Cory Durden (shoulder), CB Cor’Dale Flott (quad), CB Art Green (shoulder), TE Chris Manhertz (ankle), WR Malik Nabers (knee/foot), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), CB Andru Phillips (shoulder), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (shoulder), OL John Michael Schmitz (ankle), RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle)

Full participant: LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle), OL Austin Schlottmann (fibula)

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Giants’ injury report swells with nearly 20 players listed

The New York Giants released their Thursday injury report and it swelled to nearly 20 players, including 18 of whom are on the 53-man roster.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 15 game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll updated the status of several injured players, including positive news regarding offensive tackle Evan Neal and cornerback Deonte Banks, each of whom has a chance to play on Sunday.

Daboll also revealed that rookie safety Tyler Nubin, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve (IR) on Wednesday, will “probably” undergo surgery on his injured ankle.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: QB Drew Lock (heel/elbow), CB Andru Phillips (shoulder), LB Bobby Okereke (back), OL Jon Runyan Jr. (ankle), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder)

Limited participant: CB Deonte Banks (rib), CB Cor’Dale Flott (quad/knee), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (quad), OL Chris Hubbard (knee), S Dane Belton (knee), OL Joshua Ezeudu (knee), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (shoulder), WR Malik Nabers (hip), DL Jordon Riley (knee), OL John Michael Schmitz (neck), OL Austin Schlottmann (fibula), OL Evan Neal (hip/ankle)

Full participant: LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle), DB Art Green (quad)

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Giants injury report: Drew Lock, Jon Runyan likely out vs. Ravens

The New York Giants listed nearly 20 players on their Wednesday injury report, including QB Drew Lock and OL Jon Runyan Jr.

The New York Giants returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for a Week 15 game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Before taking the field, head coach Brian Daboll stepped up to the podium and spoke with reporters.

Most of what Daboll revealed was not anything considered positive news, beginning with quarterback Drew Lock, who is in a walking boot and unlikely to play on Sunday.

“I wouldn’t say he’s doing great. He’s in a boot,” Daboll said. “He has a heel. He won’t practice today. He won’t be out on a practice field today. Can’t tell you if he’d be ready to go right now. So, Tommy (DeVito) will get all the reps.

“Can’t see him going tomorrow. Hopefully Friday we can see whether or not he can end up being a two or a three. But, not there yet as of today.”

Additionally, guard Jon Runyan Jr. is also expected to miss the Ravens game but there is at least some optimism that left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor could return.

“Jermaine, he’s made good progress,” Daboll said. “Probably more optimistic with Jermaine.”

If there was a sliver of good news, it’s that cornerback Deonte Banks returned to practice on a limited basis.

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: QB Drew Lock (heel), CB Andru Phillips (shoulder), LB Bobby Okereke (back), OL Jon Runyan Jr. (ankle), OL Evan Neal (ankle), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder)

Limited participant: CB Deonte Banks (rib), CB Cor’Dale Flott (quad/knee), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (quad), OL Chris Hubbard (knee), S Dane Belton (knee), OL Joshua Ezeudu (knee), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (shoulder), DB Art Green (quad), WR Malik Nabers (hip), DL Jordon Riley (knee), OL John Michael Schmitz (neck), OL Austin Schlottmann (fibula)

Full participant: LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle)

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Giants climb in Pro Football Focus’ offensive line rankings

The New York Giants offensive line has stabilized in the wake of the season-ending foot injury to All-Pro LT Andrew Thomas last month.

Pro Football Focus recently ranked the New York Giants offensive line the most improved in the NFL this season, up 23.4 points in the rankings.

They were ranked 32nd — dead last — in 2023.

This past week, PFF ranked the Giants 25th in the NFL after their Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers, up four spots from the previous week.

The Giants moved Jermaine Eluemunor to left tackle and had former first-round pick Evan Neal start at right tackle for the first time this season. Neal put forth an encouraging performance in the loss to the Panthers, garnering a 93.4 PFF run-blocking grade that ranked second among all offensive tackles in the NFL this week.

Since Week 2, guard Jon Runyan has allowed a knockdown — sack or quarterback hit — on just 0.5% of pass plays, which is tied for the 14th-best rate among 73 qualifying guards.

PFF rated the best player to be right guard Greg Van Roten who, “let up one pressure against Carolina, and his 84.4 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked ninth among guards for the week.”

All five linemen — Eluemunor, Neal, Runyan, Van Roten, and center John Michael Schmitz — played all 75 offensive snaps in Sunday’s game.

If anything, the line, under the direction of first-year unit coach Carmen Bricillo, is getting traction, which is a good sign after the devastating blow it took in left tackle Andrew Thomas’ season-ending foot injury back in Week 7.

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Giants’ offensive line more consistent but still not quite where they need to be

Four the five New York Giants starting offensive linemen have played every snap this season, but the unit is still rated among the worst.

As we enter Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season, the New York Giants are still dealing with substandard play along the offensive line.

Pro Football Focus is ranking unit coach Carmen Bricillo’s group 29th out of 32 teams even after all of the changes they’ve made this past offseason.

All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas is out for the season after having foot surgery several weeks ago and former first-round pick Evan Neal has played just two offensive snaps this season.

Neal was supplanted by free agent Jermaine Eluemunor in training camp while on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and never regained his starting right tackle spot.

This week, the Giants are scheduled to start just one player who started at this time last year — center John Michael Schmitz. Eluemunor will be at right tackle again with recently signed free agent Chris Hubbard on the left side.

Veteran free agent pickups Jon Runyan Jr. and Greg Van Roten will be at the guard positions as they have been all season.

Schmitz, Van Roten, Runyan, and Elumunor have played all 614 offensive snaps this season, so it appears there is some continuity there, but PFF does not see the quality — or the results.

In Week 9, the unit allowed just six pressures on 29 dropbacks against the Commanders. As a result, they earned an 87.9 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which ranked 13th in the NFL.

Schmitz allowed pressure on 6.6% of pass plays as a rookie but has done so on just 4.9% of pass plays this season. Van Roten was the only Giants offensive lineman to earn a 60.0-plus PFF overall grade in Week 9 (67.0).

With the team dead last in points per game (15.4) and red zone offense (40.0 percent), the line will be under constant scrutiny but there are some areas where there has been marked improvement.

The Giants are still allowing 3.1 sacks per game (7th overall) but it is way down from last year when they allowed 5.0 sacks per game — a full sack per game more than the next-highest team.

The rushing game is actually performing slightly better at 114 yards per game. Last year, with Saquon Barkley in the lineup, they averaged just over 110 yards per.

Three years into the Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll era, the line is still in flux but things appear to be looking up as they continue to tweak to find the right combination.

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Giants injury report: Tyrone Tracy Jr. advances in concussion protocol

New York Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. advanced in concussion protocol and has a chance to play against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll delivered a positive injury update, revealing that all but two players — punter Jamie Gillan and wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton — would return to practice.

Daboll also stated that rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. advanced in concussion protocol and would wear the red non-contact jersey.

“Trending in the right direction,” Daboll said.

In further good news, Daboll said there’s a strong chance veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson returns for Sunday’s game against Washington barring a setback.

“Good to go,” he said of Jackson

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles)

Limited participant: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion), CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck), CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin), CB Tre Hawkins (groin), OL Jake Kubas (abdomen), OL John Michael Schmitz (calf), LB Ty Summers (ankle), OL Joshua Ezeudu (knee), WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (ankle), OL Jon Runyan Jr. (foot)

Full participant: OL Jermaine Eluemunor (hip), LB Brian Burns (groin/biceps), LB Matthew Adams (knee), NT Dexter Lawrence (rest)

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Giants injury report: Tyrone Tracy Jr. in concussion protocol

New York Giants rookie RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. is in the “early stages” of concussion protocol and may not be available in Week 9 vs. Washington.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for a Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

On short rest, the Giants had a lengthy injury report with several veterans and stars sitting out, including nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Head coach Brian Daboll revealed that Tracy, who left Monday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, was in the “early stages” of concussion protocol. He is 50-50 to play against the Commanders.

Lawrence, who has been battling a hip injury for most of the season, was given a veteran rest day.

Meanwhile, offensive tackle Joshua Ezeudu had his knee drained and missed practice, paving the way for veteran Chris Hubbard to start at left tackle for the second consecutive week.

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion), NT Dexter Lawrence (rest), P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), OL Joshua Ezeudu (knee), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (ankle), LB Matthew Adams (knee)

Limited participant: LB Brian Burns (groin/biceps), CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (hip), CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin), CB Tre Hawkins (groin), OL Jake Kubas (abdomen), OL John Michael Schmitz (calf), LB Ty Summers (ankle)

Full participant: None

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Giants injury report: Dru Phillips, Adoree’ Jackson continue to sit out

New York Giants CB Dru Phillips (calf) and CB Adoree’ Jackson (calf) are unlikely to play on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Tuesday ahead of a Week 4 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Similar to the day prior, they were limited to a walkthrough.

Before practice, head coach Brian Daboll met with reporters and revealed that cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson would again sit out with calf injuries. However, Daboll said, neither is expected to land on injured reserve (IR).

Daboll also expressed optimism that fellow cornerback Nick McCloud, who has missed the previous two games with a knee injury, would return on Thursday night.

Little else on the injury report changed.

The Giants’ full (projected) Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB Dru Phillips (calf), CB Adoree’ Jackson (calf)

Limited participant: DL Dexter Lawrence (foot), DB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Micah McFadden (back), WR Darius Slayton (thumb)

Full participant: OL Jermaine Eluemunor (thumb), OL John Michael Schmitz (neck)

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Giants starting O-line is finally together and on the field

For the first time all summer, the New York Giants’ projected starting offensive line is intact and have taken the field together.

Now that the New York Giants have trimmed their roster to the mandatory 53 players, their offensive line can get down the business of playing together and creating some cohesion.

On Tuesday at practice, the Giants’ projected starting offensive line took the field together for the first time this summer. Head coach Brian Daboll commemorated the moment by posing for a picture with the group.

“Yeah, I did,” Daboll laughed when asked if he really took a photo. “I took a picture of those guys in walk-through. The five of them out there doing their first drill together. Walk-through drill.”

The five players being left tackle Andrew Thomas, left guard Jon Runyan Jr., center John Michael Schmitz, right guard Greg Van Roten, and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.

Tackle Evan Neal is also back on the field after being largely limited over the summer.

The line has been shuffled around this camp due to various injuries to Neal, Schmitz, and Runyan. In their places have some very competent backups in Aaron Stinnie, Yodny Cajuste, Joshua Ezeudu, Austin Schlottmann, and rookie Jake Kubas.

Thomas laughed when asked if he noticed the group was lining up together for the first time on Tuesday.

“I noticed, yeah,” said Thomas. “It was kind of funny. We joked on John Michael a little bit just because he’s young and missed some time. It’s great to have everybody back. We need these reps. I think we have seven or eight practices before the first game so we need every rep we can get.”

Thomas was asked if there was enough time for the group to come together and gain some traction before the season begins in 11 days.

“I think so. I think we have a good group,” he said. “A lot of veterans which I think that helps with the group. And then John Michael, it’s his second year in this system, so just making the MIKE points. I think he’s going to do a good job for us.”

Thomas and quarterback Daniel Jones will be the offensive captains this year. Neither is an extrovert but their backs are against the wall. It’s Thomas’ turn to take the leadership reins.

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Report: MRI scans come back clear for Giants’ John Michael Schmitz, Evan Neal

The MRIs on the ankles of New York Giants offensive linemen John Michael Schmitz and Evan Neal have come back negative.

The MRI results have come back for New York Giants center John Michael Schmitz and right tackle Evan Neal.

The verdict, reports the New York Post, is all clear.

Both players afterward were optimistic they did not incur any serious injury but they were sent for MRIs, just to make sure.

Those scans came back clear, The Post learned, and that means both players should be available for the Sept. 8 season-opener against the Vikings.

Both players left Saturday’s 10-6 preseason loss to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium with ankle issues and did not return.

The two — who are scheduled to be starters this season along the offensive line — were playing in the game because head coach Brian Daboll wanted to get them some much-needed game reps before the regular season begins in two weeks.

“I saw John Michael right before I came in here,” Daboll told reporters on Sunday. “He was in the meal room. He’s in good spirits. Don’t want to give you information that… I want to make sure it’s right from what I get from the doctors and trainers. But he’s walking around fine.”

Schmitz missed a good chunk of training camp with a shoulder injury while Neal was being ramped up after beginning training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Neal was scheduled to play anywhere between 20 and 25 snaps on Saturday. He came out of the game after 21 plays but insisted he was fine.

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