On Thursday, the New York Giants and New York Jets will hold a joint practice together for the first time in 17 years. The action at the Quest Diagnostics Center in East Rutherford, N.J. will be very important for both teams. With at least 27 players being cut from each roster early next week as NFL teams have to drop their rosters from 80 to 53, this session will give each player a chance to make a lasting impression to their team’s coaching staff.
The practice is also important for New York bragging rights. The Jets have been and still are the little brother to the Giants, but with their strong offseason acquisitions, and the struggles of the Giants, the Jets will have a chip on their shoulder to prove that they are closing in on the NYG franchise.
Things might get a little chippy as they did the last time the Giants and Jets held joint practices in 2005.
The last time Giants + Jets had a joint practice, all hell broke loose. Tom Coughlin was screaming at Donnie Henderson. There was a brawl with Jeremy Shockey in the middle of it … after just 2 plays!
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 24, 2022
That was the first of many. Jets had a pt to prove.https://t.co/W6GSgcoF5P
There are countless storylines to watch. Despite the fact that both teams are banged up, the stars will be out and shining for both teams. Here are the three things to watch in the joint practice between the NY Giants and the NY Jets leading up to Sunday’s preseason contest.
3. Giants injuries
The No. 1 thing the Giants need to do this week is to avoid anymore injuries to their roster – serious or non-serious. The Giants roster is unfathomably banged up at the moment, and has already lost rookie offensive lineman Marcus McKethan, rookie linebacker Darrian Beavers and training camp standout wide receiver Collin Johnson to season-ending injuries. Additionally, offensive lineman Nick Gates and Matt Peart remain on the PUP list, while starting left guard Shane Lemieux is questionable to be ready for Week 1.
The Giants tight end position is currently decimated, as both veteran Ricky Seals-Jones and rookie Andre Miller were placed on the season-ending injured list Monday evening, leaving just Chris Myriack, rookie Daniel Bellinger and undrafted rookie Austin Allen on the roster.
Worst of all, rookie superstar Kayvon Thibodeaux went down hard in last week’s preseason win against Cincinnati, and though it looked horrible, he only sprained his MCL and will hopefully be back for the season opener. With multiple other players, including Kadarius Toney, banged up, the Giants need to avoid any additional serious injuries.