NY Giants injury update: Evan Engram trending towards playing vs. Falcons?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 14: Evan Engram #88 of the New York Giants looks on during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 14: Evan Engram #88 of the New York Giants looks on during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The NY Giants could be getting Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram back, in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium 

NY Giants tight end Evan Engram took a step Wednesday towards making his 2021 debut Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Falcons.

Engram, who has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury during the preseason finale against the New England Patriots earlier this month, returned to the practice field for the first time this season.

It remains to be seen whether Engram winds up being medically cleared in time for Sunday’s game, but it is encouraging that he was not off to the side working with trainers during the first practice of the week.

Officially, Engram was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, by the NY Giants.

Here’s the NY Giants’ full injury report:

Saquon Barkley (knee) – Limited

Evan Engram (calf) – Limited

Kenny Golladay (hip) – Limited

Logan Ryan (hamstring) – Limited

Kaden Smith (knee) – Limited

Cam Brown (hamstring) – Did Not Practice

Nate Ebner (quad) – Did Not Practice

Austin Johnson (illness) – Did Not Practice

If Engram is able to play in Week 3, it would make the NY Giants’ decision not to place him on short-term IR to begin the season a correct one, because if they had, he would have been forced to miss three weeks.

Engram has played just one game against the Falcons in his career, catching two of his four targets for 16 yards, back in 2019, for 16 yards.

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Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com.