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Oshane Ximines has a long way to go before fighting for his place on the pitch.
While the Giants linebacker was activated on the physically unable to perform roster before Monday’s practice, he was relegated to only individual drills and basic defense practice. Still in rehabilitation from his hamstring injury, Ximines will have to wait to participate in the team exercises.
“I felt good going out, man,” Ximines said. “It’s been a long, long offseason trying to get back on track. Today is just the first step on a long journey to be where I was.
Ximines’ season ended after tearing his rotator cuff in November 2020, and he had to undergo surgery soon after. Last season, he netted one tackle for loss and three quarterback hits in four games – away from the five tackles for loss, nine hits for the quarterback and 4.5 sacks of Ximines recorded during his rookie season.
This season will be the 24-year-old’s first chance to really play for Joe Judge’s staff. Still, Judge believes Ximines can be an asset as it provides the much needed power and speed.
“In terms of keeping the edge, playing with the extension, losing blocks, [Ximines] really plays more on his physical build which is really power and anchoring at the point of attack, ”said Judge. “He’s a guy who also helped in the kicking game. He has had roles in defense, so we seek to involve him in everything we do.
However, it’s unclear whether Ximines will be ready for action at the start of the season and his chances of returning have become slimmer with the addition of rookie Azeez Ojulari.
Ojulari was arguably the best rusher in the SEC last season, leading the conference in sacks (8.5) and tackles-for-loss (12.5), and was tied for second in FBS with four forced fumbles. .
“The coaches judge made it clear that it will be a competitive camp,” Ximines said.
Lorenzo Carter has most likely taken a starting position, and now Ximines has to face Ojulari – if he’s even healthy enough to play.
“It’s an everyday affair. No one is safe, ever. It’s nowhere in the NFL, ”Ximines said. “So whatever they do, they do. … I will work every day as I always have and drop the chips where they can.
Looks like Judge wants Nate Ebner back with the Giants ASAP. Ebner, a special teams ace who is currently unsigned, was injured and had to withdraw from the US Olympic rugby team.
“The nature of Nate is that he doesn’t know how to slow down, so there was a point where he was pushing and pushing his body and he had to make a decision at some point,” Judge said. “We look forward to having it and as soon as we have the opportunity to get it back. I can’t wait to see him again. ”
Don’t expect many starters to be on the field for extended playing time, or maybe any playing time, in Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Jets. .
“The priority for me is to treat this more like a traditional Game 4 and when I say that it’s more about making sure that all the players that we really need to evaluate get an evaluation,” said Judge. “Because of the rules this year, we have to take out five guys after the Jets game. I want to make sure that we don’t make any decisions that impact our or their future without proper assessment. ”
The Giants’ all-white Color Rush uniforms were popular with fans and will be worn at least twice this season, consecutively in Week 11 in Tampa during “Monday Night Football” against the Super Bowl Buccaneers champion and during the week 12 at home against the Eagles. The Giants have the option to wear the Color Rush uniform a third time later in the season.
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