Crisis averted — for now.
The Giants received the best possible news for a change. It turns out they will not have to scramble to field enough offensive linemen to face the Buccaneers on Monday.
All six of the offensive linemen — including starters Andrew Thomas, Cameron Fleming and Nick Gates — who were sent home on Thursday as “close contacts” after starting left guard Will Hernandez tested positive for COVID-19, returned to the practice facility on Friday and were able to practice. So were practice squad receiver Binjimen Victor, defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson and outside linebackers coach Bret Bielema, who also had to quarantine.
“I think it was a great opportunity for the team to see how everyone has to step up and be ready at all times,” coach Joe Judge said on Friday. “Obviously, we were relieved that there were no more positive tests at this moment and that our guys are back in the building working. We just need to put the emphasis on [the idea that] we have to continue to be very cautious, and we have to be proactive in the steps we take.”
Out of precaution, the Giants (1-6) held virtual meetings on Thursday and Friday, and they wore either masks or facial shields in practice. Hernandez was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive Wednesday night and is in quarantine. Hernandez needs two negative tests 24 hours apart to be able to return and is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Shane Lemieux when the Giants face the Buccaneers fourth-ranked defense.
According to Gates, Hernandez was disappointed about not being able to play — he had started every game since getting picked in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft — but is feeling well otherwise.
Gates said he received a phone call at 6:15 Thursday morning regarding Hernandez and his classification as a “close contact.” He had to pass three tests — one on Thursday and two more on Friday before getting cleared to return.
“[I was] just trying to stay positive and keep being optimistic about it,” Gates said. “Try to stay positive and control what I can control. Try to get ready for the game and do the best I can to make myself ready if I was able to go. It looks like I’m going to be able to so just stay on track.”
Due to contract tracing, the Giants only had four offensive linemen able to practice on Thursday. Kevin Zeitler was the lone starter available, with backups Matt Peart and Jackson Barton also able to workout, along with practice squad lineman Kyle Murphy. Tight end Eric Tomlinson filled in up front.
“I think he was born to block, so pretty good,” Judge said. “He’s probably happy he can get a few more cheeseburgers on the diet.”
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said the Giants made some adjustments, like working on early-down passing and more 7-on-7 drills. There was also no scout team offensive line for the starting defense to face, so a few defensive players switched to the offensive side of the ball.
“It was a really interesting challenge, obviously,” Garrett said. “I don’t know if we’ve ever been out on a practice field where you try to function with four offensive linemen, a couple young guys playing, guys playing out of position, and then Eric Tomlinson playing right tackle for you. But I thought those guys handled it really, really well.”
It, of course, was a relief that nobody else tested positive and the Giants were able to have a normal practice Friday. It doesn’t mean they are out of the woods yet. Testing will continue. But for now, they seem to have avoided an outbreak.