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After testing positive for COVID-19 on November 16, Giants kicker Graham Gano is working with coaches again and is set to play Sunday’s game in Cincinnati.
Head coach Joe Judge said ahead of practice on Friday he was “very optimistic” about Gano’s return to the Bengals, adding that he wanted to take the day to assess how the first-year giant was moving forward. to make a decision.
“I think we should see him kicking a bit today,” Judge said on a Zoom call. “He was with the coaches independently yesterday swinging his leg a bit. I just asked him how he felt today. He said he felt good overall. I’m going to watch and see how painful it can or not and obviously see it.
Gano, who signed a three-year, $ 14million extension after last week’s win over the Eagles, posted a video of him hitting a net in his hotel room while in quarantine.
“He didn’t back away too far into the hotel room to test his reach,” Judge said. “We’ll have to sort of move it a bit [Friday] if we are allowed to do so.
The Giants had promoted Ryan Santoso from their practice squad after placing Gano on the COVID-19 / reserve list on November 17. It is likely that if Gano is cleared to play, Santoso will return to the practice squad.
The judge also said cornerback James Bradberry, who had been excused this week on a personal matter, would return to practice on Friday and that “all signs are pointing” that he will also play on Sunday.
“He was back last night,” the judge said. “He attended all of the Zoom meetings with us for the facility throughout the week. So in terms of meeting, he didn’t miss anything with us. He obviously missed the practice time on the pitch, but it’s something we wanted to make sure he could take care of himself.
According to the judge, inside linebacker Tae Crowder has been in the right direction since he was placed on the injured reserve with hamstring strain in October. The judge compared Crowder’s current stage of recovery to that of safety Xavier McKinney, who is set to make his NFL debut on Sunday after breaking his foot in training camp.
Considering Crowder hasn’t played since the Giants’ Week 6 win over Washington, the judge wanted to see how he reacted to physical practice.
“We’re really looking right now to see how he reacts from a tougher day yesterday and see where he is physically,” said Judge, referring to the 2020 seventh-round pick that scored the winning touchdown on a fumble 43 yards. return in the Giants’ victory over Washington. “It tells the story of a lot of these guys coming out of the IR, it’s how their bodies bounce back so that we can see what shape they really are so we don’t put them out there in a position to be. hurt again. But I am encouraged by the way he moves.
Logan Ryan is currently running all NFC free security in Pro Bowl votes and the judge said he wasn’t surprised.
Although Judge said he does not follow such polls, he gave Ryan strong endorsement for his work ethic and seasoned leadership. Ryan is second on the team in tackles (59), just behind championship leader Blake Martinez (96). He also has seven defended passes, one interception, one sack and one fumble in 10 games so far this season.
“This guy really deserves everything he’s earned,” Judge said. “He really has a very positive impact on our team on and off the pitch. I would say in the field, it starts with his communication. It really connects a lot of things there. You really have to call the backend defense for a lot of the things that we do, and he’s kind of the unifying voice on a lot of the sets that we have.
That being said, he has developed a very good relationship with his teammates there, be it Julian [Love] or [Jabrill] Peppers or wedges that work on the perimeter. He really did a good job of getting everyone on the same page. “
WR Sterling Shepard (hip / toe) and CB Brandon Williams (ankle) were limited in practice, with Williams listed as questionable. Guard Kevin Zeitler trained hard again after suffering a concussion before the Week 11 recess.
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