The gang was all there for the Giants, but it is premature to look ahead and expect four key offensive playmakers to be on the field with their teammates Monday night.
Desperate for good news regarding the talented players sidelined with injuries, the Giants took it as a positive sign that running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and wide receivers Kenny Golladay (knee), Kadarius Toney (ankle) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring) were able to participate in the team stretch at the start of Wednesday’s practice.
With one extra day of work, rest and healing to determine the health of these players, Thursday’s action will be a better indicator of their possible availability to face the Chiefs. The first injury report of the week comes out after Thursday’s practice.
“I wouldn’t say anything that happens [Wednesday] or [Thursday] would rule them out or guarantee them at the game,’’ head coach Joe Judge said.
Shepard is closer to returning than are the others. He at least had a chance to play in last week’s 25-3 victory over the Panthers, but the decision was made to keep him out following a brief pregame workout at MetLife Stadium.
“I think he’s a little bit different because he was close to playing last week, but I wouldn’t say it’s too far removed,’’ Judge said.
Asked to assess whether any among Barkley, Golladay or Toney is ahead of the others, Judge said: “They have three different injuries, three different bodies. There’s different timetables for all of these guys. I’m not going to go ahead and give a ‘This guy’s further ahead.’ With these injuries, it sounds like day by day different guys are at different points and some days it sounds like one guy is further along than another guy.’’
The NFL trading deadline is Tuesday, and one Giants player who could be on the move is tight end Evan Engram, who is in the final year of his contract. There are “multiple teams’’ expressing interest in Engram, according to an ESPN report. Asked if he had heard any trade rumors, James Denton, one of Engram’s agents at CAA, told The Post, “No … quiet.’’
Graham Gano was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after going 3-for-3 on field goals from 44, 49 and 53 yards against his former team, the Panthers. This is the fourth time (and second with the Giants) that Gano has won the award.
“It’s nice to be acknowledged, for sure,’’ Gano said. “As coach was saying in our meeting, it’s a team award as well. It takes a lot more than me just kicking those balls for it to happen. It takes the defense making big plays and getting us good field position, the offense getting down the field and of course our field-goal unit executing. Even though my name’s up there I understand there’s a lot more that goes into it than just myself.’’
WR David Sills cleared waivers and was re-signed to the practice squad.