ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Giants co-owner John Mara, as he exited the visitors’ locker room after Saturday’s 21-0 preseason loss to the Bills, had little to say about the budding controversy surrounding kicker Josh Brown.
“I know what you’re going to ask me about,’’ Mara said. “Check with me again next week, but I don’t have anything to say about it.’’
Asked why next week, Mara added: “I don’t know, maybe I’ll change my mind, you know? OK?’’
General manager Jerry Reese said “nope’’ and then “nothing’’ when asked for a comment about Brown, who is suspended for the season opener for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy because of a domestic abuse charge — quickly dismissed — by his ex-wife one year ago.
Brown was with the Giants on their first road trip of the preseason to face the Bills and will remain with the team until the week leading up to the Sept. 11 season opener, which is when he must depart to serve his suspension.
Brown, approached at his locker after the game, politely declined to comment when asked about the allegations of repeated abuse by his ex-wife.
“I have nothing,’’ Brown said. “Zero.’’
Coach Ben McAdoo after the game said, “I’ve said everything I have to say on that situation.’’
Tom Obarski, the first-year kicker granted what McAdoo called a “golden opportunity’’ to convince the Giants to have him stay on the roster for the opener against the Cowboys, did not help his cause when he missed a 28-yard field-goal attempt wide left in the fourth quarter.
Wide receiver Victor Cruz made the trip, donned his No. 80 uniform and participated in the pre-game warm-ups, running a few routes and catching a few passes. It was the first time Cruz was in uniform since Oct. 12, 2014, when he tore his right patellar tendon in Philadelphia. The Giants hope Cruz can return to practice Monday. He has been bothered by a sore groin since Aug. 9. If all goes well this week, Cruz will finally make his preseason debut against the Jets.
Undrafted rookie cornerback Donte Deayon again showed his feisty side. After initially getting beaten in the second quarter in the end zone by Bills wide receiver Greg Little for an apparent touchdown, Deayon fought with Little and wrestled the ball away at the last moment. After a Giants turnover, on the very next play Bills quarterback EJ Manuel threw the same pass, and this time Little beat Deayon for a 19-yard touchdown.
WR/KR Dwayne Harris injured his knee on a second-quarter punt return and was taken in for X-rays, which came back negative. Harris will have an MRI exam as a follow-up. … Safety Mykkele Thompson was forced out with a concussion. … S Cooper Taylor had a fourth-quarter interception of Bills quarterback Cardale Jones. … Running back Bobby Rainey had a 67-yard run in the fourth quarter. … RG Justin Pugh (shoulder) and CB Eli Apple (knee) worked with Markus Paul, the assistant strength and conditioning coach, prior to the game. Neither was in uniform.
Also out for the Giants: WR Geremy Davis (hamstring), FB Will Johnson (burner), DE Kerry Wynn (groin), CB Leon McFadden (leg) and LB J.T. Thomas (hamstring/PUP).