Daniel Jones should be a happy man.
His weapons will be significantly upgraded Sunday afternoon.
Running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Evan Engram, arguably the Giants’ two most dynamic playmakers, are expected to be active against the Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. The two completed a full week of practice, giving the rookie quarterback options he has been lacking. Neither were listed on the final injury report, which almost always translates into availability on gamedays.
“It means a lot for the whole team when you can get some of the guys that started out being starters and being main contributors back in the lineup,” Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. “It can help things. That goes without saying.”
Barkley, last year’s Rookie Offensive Player of the Year, suffered a high ankle sprain in Jones’ debut, against the Buccaneers on Sept. 22. Engram missed the Giants’ last game against the Patriots with a knee injury. Without those two skill-position players, the Giants’ offense managed seven points and 213 yards of total offense in last Thursday’s loss to the Patriots.
Shurmur wouldn’t guarantee Barkley and Engram will play, though each has been medically cleared to do so.
“If guys are ready to play, and we’ll determine that, they’ll play,” Shurmur said. “These are guys that are coming back from injury. I’m going to wait until the end to make sure they are going to play.”
For the second straight day, rookie running back Wayne Gallman and defensive lineman Olsen Pierre practiced fully. They are expected to be active after dealing with concussions. Receiver Sterling Shepard and cornerback Corey Ballentine, meanwhile, were ruled out. They remain in the concussion protocol.
Without Ballentine, the Giants will need a new kick returner. One of the options is rookie receiver Darius Slayton. He hasn’t returned kicks since high school, but is excited for the potential opportunity.
“It’s kind of like a throwback,” he said. “Last time I did it was in high school. But I’m looking forward to getting back out there. I know my teammate are going to block for me. So hopefully I’ll be able to make a play.”