The New York Giants’ final Week 4 injury update was a good news, bad news type of deal, and star wide receiver Malik Nabers found himself on the positive side of the equation.
“No injury designation for WR Malik Nabers and LT Andrew Thomas,” New York Post reporter Paul Schwartz relayed on September 26, after noting that the Giants have officially ruled out three players.
Missing in action will be running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder), kicker Graham Gano (groin), and defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (ankle). All three absences were expected based on practice updates throughout the week.
On top of those three absences, veteran defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches is officially “doubtful” with a foot injury, so the Giants could be down four members of their 53-man roster when all is said and done.
Having said that, the two most integral players on the injury report this week will suit up against the Los Angeles Chargers. With rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart making his first career NFL start, the presence of both Nabers and Thomas is invaluable, so having the pair of stars healthy and ready to go is obviously huge news for Big Blue.
Giants Reporter Expects More ‘Roster Gymnastics’ News Ahead of Week 4
With three or four players missing on Sunday, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan predicted that more “roster gymnastics” would be coming on Saturday, September 27.
“Tracy out means only two RB on the 53: Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary,” Duggan pointed out. Adding: “Golston out means only three OLB on the 53: Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter. They also need to get Younghoe Koo or Jude McAtamney up from the practice squad.”
“Some roster gymnastics coming tomorrow…” the NYG beat reporter concluded.
Considering there was no running back signing this week, one would assume that second-year RB Dante Miller will either be elevated from the practice squad or signed to the active roster. “Turbo” Miller is currently the lone running back option on the Giants’ practice squad — unless, of course, Eric Gray returns from the PUP list.
Similarly, we could see outside linebacker and veteran special teamer Tomon Fox elevated or signed to the active roster.
Last week, the Giants signed Fox to the 53, then cut him after the game and re-signed him to the practice squad as a vested veteran. The Giants could call upon the same strategy in Week 4.
Giants’ Kicker Decision Could Hint at Severity of Graham Gano Injury
As for the kicker decision, depending on what Big Blue elects to do, it could tell us more about Gano’s expected injury timeline.
For example, let’s say the Giants sign a kicker to the active roster; that might hint that Gano is expected to miss more than one week of action. Whereas, if they elevate a kicker, it would hint that the injury is less severe.
Gano was not placed on the injured reserve, which is a good sign that the Giants believe he’ll return sometime within the next four weeks.
“Curious what the Giants do at kicker,” Duggan posted on X. “When they signed a vet like Younghoe Koo, I assumed they would go with him. But heard there was a legit competition with Jude McAtamney in practice.”
“If McAtamney did well, there’s an argument to roll with him on Sunday,” the beat reporter continued. “The Giants have developed him for the past 18 months, and he kicked well this summer. [It] would be huge to hit on a young kicker. And if he falters, they could just turn to Koo next week.”