Five players were forced to leave Tuesday’s training camp opening practice early and the only real initial concern was with linebacker Jameel McClain.
McClain left on a cart with his left leg and foot exposed. Tom Coughlin said it was first thought McClain had a problem with his shoe, but when the irritation was coming from the metatarsal area he was brought in for evaluation.
X-rays came back negative, and for now it’s nothing more than a sore foot. If the soreness does not subside, McClain will have an MRI exam. With Jon Beason likely out for all of training camp with torn ligaments and a fracture in his foot, McClain has slid over to play middle linebacker, making his presence even more important.
Beason is resting and rehabbing his injury. Mostly rehabbing, it sounds like. “I watched his treatment the other day, and boy, if he’s got a tender foot, he’s hiding it well,’’ Coughlin said.
Three players left practice early because of heat-related issues: Linebacker Spencer Adkins, offensive tackle Charles Brown and rookie tight end Xavier Grimble. Offensive guard Brandon Mosley left with an upset stomach.
Practice highlights:
– Will Beatty was able to get work on the offensive line, sharing time at left tackle with Charles Brown with the first unit. Beatty is coming off a broken leg and will be limited in what he can do. “Limited is very vague,’’ Beatty said. “I’m gonna go out there and see what I can do. Right now we’re only in shells, it’s not that full pad, the bull rush to worry about and all that.’’
– Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie came up with a gift interception off a deep Eli Manning pass intended for rookie Odell Beckham Jr., who pulled up on the play. “He’s got some work to do,’’ Coughlin said of Beckham.
– First-year WR Marcus Harris had some good moments catching the ball, but lost his feet after hauling in a well-thrown and well-timed pass from Manning over the middle.
– CB Zack Bowman, previously a member of the ball-hawking Bears secondary, displayed some of that turnover touch when he reached in on TE Daniel Fells to cause a fumble.
– Jason Pierre-Paul had his back looked at briefly by a trainer. In the past JPP has had some issues with tightness in his back on the first day of camp.
– Rookie RB Andre Williams looked as if he was shot out of a cannon on one burst over the middle. He also was impressive on a catch out of the backfield, something he did very rarely at Boston College.
– Curtis Painter had a pass deflected into the air, allowing S Cooper Taylor to intercept it. A bit later, S C.J. Barnett early picked off a Painter pass.
– The starting offensive line (from left to right): Beatty, Geoff Schwartz, J.D Walton, Mosley and Justin Pugh. When Mosley went out, rookie Weston Richburg replaced him at right guard.
– David Wilson, cleared medically after neck surgery, showed he’s lost none of his quickness or agility. Working with the second-team offense, Wilson on one run up the right sideline stopped on a dime right in front of rookie S Nat Berhe.