The Giants went into Sunday’s game against the Falcons at full strength, in terms of getting all their offensive skill players on the field.
The only player in question, wide receiver Kenny Golladay, passed a rigorous pre-game test, under the watchful eyes of head coach Joe Judge, general manager Dave Gettleman, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, trainers and medical staff. Golladay, listed as questionable with a hip injury, ran routes, did sprints, stopped and started. Afterward, he met with all the interested parties and the determination was made that he was a go for the game.
Golladay missed most of training camp and all three preseason games with a strained hamstring. He is off to a slow start to his Giants career, with only seven receptions for 102 yards in his first two games, both losses. He yelled at Garrett in the second half of the Thursday night 30-29 loss to Washington, frustrated with the way the offense was playing and his role in it.
Despite missing so much time over the summer, Golladay was on the field for 85 percent of the offensive snaps the first two games. Receivers coach Tyke Tolbert said last week he believes a somewhat reduced workload will benefit Golladay, who admitted he grew tired late in the first two games.
With Golladay available, quarterback Daniel Jones was set to be surrounded with all the talent the front office assembled for him. Tight end Evan Engram missed the first two games with a strained calf but he was set to make his 2021 debut against the Falcons. Golladay and Engram joined an offensive skill-player group that includes Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and Kadarius Toney at wide receiver and Saquon Barkley at running back.
This will be the first time in the past 34 games that the Giants have all their top offensive skill players available to play. The last time was Week 2 last season, when Barkley tore his ACL in the second quarter, ending his 2020 season.