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It's time to redo the depth map of the giants.
The end of the match Evan Engram (knee), cornerback Eli Apple (groin) and linebacker Olivier Vernon (ankle) will not play Sunday against the Saints, according to coach Pat Shurmur.
Midfield defenseman Jonathan Stewart (foot) and receiver # 3 Cody Latimer (knee) are also excluded. Cornerback Antonio Hamilton (groin) and wide receiver / return Stacy Coley (hamstrings) are considered "questionable" on the official injury report.
Defensive tackle Damon Harrison was limited in Friday's practice but should play. Linebacker Connor Barwin was a full participant after missing time earlier this week.
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The loss of Engram is not a surprise since he would have suffered an MCL tense against the Texans, while he could not finish the match and he had left the locker room with a knee splint .
Vernon will be out for the fourth straight game to open the season, which matches the total number of games that he missed last season due to an injury. He returned to practice on a limited basis earlier in the week but did not participate on Friday.
"No setbacks," said Shurmur. "It was a quick practice with the preparation for New Orleans, he made great progress this week and he is close, he was just not ready."
The loss of Apple could be the biggest blow given that he was playing at a high career level during three games.
"Definitely disappointed," said Apple. "But I know it's the best thing right now for me and the team – I'm going to be the best teammate I can be in gameday."
Apple said that he was "really close" to the return. He was a limited participant in Friday's practice.
"I have to go faster, get back to normal speed, I have not arrived yet," said Apple. "It will be a collective effort, everyone will have to step in. We are going against a big attack."
Apple cited wet ground as a reason to make it easier on Friday, although the Giants were able to move the practice indoors if it was a major concern.
"We will take the necessary precautions and prepare ourselves for next week," Apple said. "I feel good."
In the absence of Engram, the Giants will turn to Rhett Ellison, with Scott Simonson in second place and Garrett Dickerson, who has just been promoted to the training squad.
Webb will move from the nickel corner to the outside corner to replace Apple, with Donte Deayon and security chief Michael Thomas completing the niche. It seems that defenders Kamrin Moore and / or Jordan will be active for the first time.
The Saints have an average of 428 yards and 34.7 points per game – the first two in the NFL – and come into play against a defensive Giants outnumbered.
If Coley joins Latimer on the sidelines, the Giants will be without their first two players, which increases Odell Beckham's or Saquon Barkley's chances in the special teams.
Shurmur had said that Stewart, Latimer and Harrison were dealing with "usury," but two of the three were absent. The extent of Harrison's injury is unknown because he has not spoken to the media yet for three of the four weeks of the regular season.
Ryan Dunleavy can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants cover on Facebook.
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