Welcome to the New York Giants... exactly everyone who was here before the trade deadline, because they didn't do anything. Nobody coming in, nobody going out. For a 2-7 team looking to continue its losing ways, it was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Standing idly by and letting the league pass them by is this team's M.O. — at least with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll at the helm. But I digress. Now that the deadline is officially past, it's on to Week 10, when the G-Men travel to Soldier Field to take on Caleb Williams and the 5-3 Chicago Bears.
After also starting the season 0-2, Da Bears are on a very different trajectory than Big Blue. They've won five of their last six games, and just brought in 26-year-old pass-rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at the deadline. It's truly a matchup of polar opposites, and if the first injury report is any indication, Giants fans can expect it'll stay that way, with an outcome they begrudgingly know all too well.
Giants’ first Week 10 injury report proves nothing ever changes
Did Not Participate in Practice:
- CB Paulson Adebo (Knee)
- WR Beaux Collins (Neck)
- OLB Victor Dimukeje (Shoulder)
- OT Jermaine Eluemunor (Pec)
- K Graham Gano (Neck)
- DL Chauncey Golston (Neck)
- LB Darius Muasau (Ankle)
- C John Michael Schmitz (Shin)
Limited in Practice:
- TE Thomas Fidone II (Foot)
- CB Cor’Dale Flott (Concussion)
- LB Neville Hewett (Foot)
- S Jevón Holland (Knee)
- TE Theo Johnson (Shoulder)
- DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (Elbow)
- CB Dru Phillips (Calf)
Full participant:
- TE Daniel Bellinger (Neck)
- S Dane Belton (Neck)
Offensive linemen John Michael Schmitz and Jermaine Eluemunor being hurt isn't great, but it's surprisingly manageable. Backup center Austin Schlottman has done a nice job filling in for JMS, who's been battling several injuries over the past couple of weeks.
The same goes for rookie tackle Marcus Mbow, who's filled in nicely for Eluemunor, with the occasional rookie mishaps. Surprisingly, the unit sits at 14th in the league, according to Pro Football Focus [$], a very encouraging sign for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and his development.
And while those two starters potentially missing Sunday's tilt would be a blow, all eyes are on the kicking situation with Graham Gano sidelined at Wednesday's practice. The last time fans saw the 38-year-old, he had missed a 45-yard field goal against the San Francisco 49ers and proceeded to spew an all-time terrible take that should've gotten him cut outright.
Related: Graham Gano’s postgame quote just gave Giants every reason to cut him
They have eight-year veteran Younghoe Koo on the practice squad — call him up and be done with it.
But with his neck injury, the Giants' kicking woes are once again alive and well, which is honestly so annoying to the point that I can't even write out the frustration from the lack of accountability coming from that group, and the incessant inability to do anything about it. So, look for potential special teams struggles Sunday afternoon, as is tradition.
Aside from everything falling apart, the decision not to put Chauncey Golston on IR continues to age like milk. But with the roster building coming from this regime, they likely wouldn't have made a meaningful roster adjustment anyway.
Other than that, it's all sunshine and rainbows over here. Let's go get that third win of the season, am I right?