Injury Report: Giants versus Steelers
By Adam Ganeles
Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants Football in the Metropolitan area is back. Almost. The Giants will grace the MetLife Stadium gridiron for the first time in eight months on Saturday evening, as the historic stature of the Pittsburgh Steelers rolls into East Rutherford. Big Blue will be playing its second preseason game before the Packers, Titans, Texans and Cardinals kick-off their opening exhibition encounters. With the advantage of having worked out some kinks in the Hall of Fame Game, the Giants have been installed as a 2.5- point home favorite.
Injury Notes
In addition to rehabbing his surgically repaired leg, William Beatty has also been dealing with severe migraine headaches this week. Beatty has missed practice time, and he’ll once again be held out of action in game #2 for the Giants. Tom Coughlin expects him to return August 16th at Indianapolis. Free agent pickup, Charles Brown, will continue to occupy the left tackle spot.
Coughlin said LT Will Beatty won't play Saturday night vs. the Steelers, but he is expected to see 1st game action in Indy next week #NYG
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 7, 2014
Left guard Geoff Schwartz returned to Giants practice on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with knee soreness. He’ll be ready to roll on Saturday night. On the opposing side of the front, Steelers starting nose tackle Steve McLendon has missed time with a concussion; his status is unclear.
G Geoff Schwartz (knee) will return to practice today, Tom Coughlin said ... Odell Beckham (hamstring) continues to get closer.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 7, 2014
The troublesome hamstring of Odell Beckham Jr. is finally on the improve. He’s been running and cutting in practice, but he won’t suit up versus Pittsburgh. Fortunately for the Giants and Beckham, there will be three more preseason tilts to get him acclimated with the McAdoo offensive structure.
"“I don’t feel like I can reach top, top speed,” Beckham said Thursday. “Just kind of holding off, trying to get some more strength, then we will be ready to go.”"
Will Big Blue make it 2-0? More importantly, will Giants Nation see a more comforting effort from the offensive unit? Worst case, it’s another opportunity to grow in a pressure work environment for the Giants offensive line.