NY Giants drawing on 2020 experience to deal with COVID absences
From a results standpoint, the Giants have anxiously been trying to put the 2020 football season in the rearview mirror.
Thursday, they were grateful to be able to draw from some their 2020 experiences.
The team had to limit access to its practice and hold meetings remotely after a high number of employees received false COVID positives on rapid test results earlier in the week. New York was able to hold a practice later in the day.
“With the COVID stuff going on all of last year, we had to get tested every day, we’d do virtual meetings at times, have no fans [in the stadium],” Leonard Williams said after practice via Zoom. “So, we’ve dealt with some of these things before, and because we have that experience, we know not to let the be a distraction throughout the week.”
Of the three players that ended up with false positive tests, offensive lineman Matt Skura was cleared to return to practice. Running back Saquon Barkley and DB Xavier McKinney remained in COVID protocol, and running back Gary Brightwell joined them according to the participation report the Giants released Thursday.
Coach Joe Judge said that running backs coach Burton Burns is currently the only individual the team has definitively ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Raiders at MetLife Stadium. Burns tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Barkley has been trying to return from an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for the past three games. Not getting the chance to be at the facility for a period of time could have a negative impact on his availability for the Las Vegas game.
“Mentally, he’s being prepared. Physically, the trainers will handle the rest of it,” Judge said. “We’ll see if we get an opportunity to get him out there and progress him toward Sunday.”
That is, provided Barkley – and any other close contacts within the organization – continue to test negative for COVID.
“I’ve told the coaches and players, everyone’s got to be ready,” Judge said. “We could get to Sunday morning, and they could tell us we’ve lost a dozen people. I don’t want to hear any excuses. You have the next guy ready to go, have a game plan ready that includes change of personnel, change of scheme – whatever we have to do.”
Raiders without Henry Ruggs III
The Raiders (5-2) will visit East Rutherford days after releasing wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, whom the Las Vegas Police Department has said will be charged with "DUI resulting in death" following a fatal car crash on Tuesday.
Giants receiver Kadarius Toney posted a tweet about Ruggs’ situation on Wednesday evening that read, “he know[s] he messed up don’t drag ’em for it……that’s goofy to me [sic].”
Toney added, “just pray for the families involved.”
Judge said that he addressed the tweet with Toney, in addition to speaking with the entire team onthe matter.
“So, I talked to Kadarius, and it’s important that we understand how we articulate our words… and we watch what we say at the same time,” Judge said. “Ultimately, our prayers are with everybody [involved].
“This is a situation no one wants to see happen to anybody,” the coach said, adding that “no one’s in any way, shape or form dismissing consequences at all.”
Toney (thumb injury) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, as was receiver Kenny Golladay (knee), who returned after sitting out Wednesday’s practice.
Email: tartaglia@northjersey.com
Twitter: @njtags13
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants drawing on 2020 experience to deal with COVID absences
