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Sunday, the Giants should be harder to block and more tough to knock back.
Without an official injury report, outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari and right tackle Evan Neal stated they participated fully in Tuesday’s practice, putting them in position to face the Commanders.
Which returning starter is more crucial? Consider them equivalent in value.
Ojulari provides a legitimate pass rusher (nine sacks in 19 career games) opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux, along with Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. He has been absent since 2 October.
“I feel back, for sure,” Ojulari remarked. “I’ve been observing from the sidelines, but now it’s time to do what I do.”
The following six games provide an opportunity for Ojulari to salvage his second season, which began with an offseason hamstring ailment and degenerated into a right calf injury during training camp, a left calf injury the last time he played, and a setback the last time he attempted a return.
“We’ll find out at the end of the year,” Ojulari remarked. “I strive to elevate every game to a higher level. Only what I have to help the team win.”
Is there anything he can do this week to prevent another setback?
Ojulari stated, “The weird aspect is that I was doing everything perfectly.” “You just can’t control it. I was doing what was necessary, on schedule, including stretching, therapy, and more. That was really annoying.”
During his four-game absence, the Giants relied on Tyre Phillips and Matt Peart at right tackle. Upon his return, the rookie Neal has assumed responsibility for the position. The Commanders’ defensive front contains a number of previous first-round choices, so his comeback could not come at a better time.
“Taking the opportunity to examine the past games I’ve played offered me a fresh perspective,” Neal said. “However, I prefer the view from the field to that from the sidelines.”
Tuesday marked the first time in three weeks that the Giants had a full-pads practice.
Neal stated, “I received the requested live representatives without a doubt.” “The injured men can see how much you can accomplish, whether you need to keep going or pull back. That is undoubtedly an advantage of padded practices.”
TE Daniel Bellinger was less certain about participating on Sunday, but Brian Daboll, the team’s head coach, stated that he is “going in the right direction.” Bellinger has missed four games due to an eye socket fracture.
“Today’s objective was to determine how I felt about the eye, and I had no concerns,” Bellinger said. I felt at ease when hitting, and I did not feel the need to slow down.
Bellinger will wear a visor for the first time in his career, although he reports that the double vision he previously suffered has been “cleared up.” He is still undergoing trainer-administered convergence testing.
LG Shane Lemieux (toe), LG Tuesday, Josh Ezeudu (neck) and Adoree’ Jackson (knee) did not practice. Cor’Dale Flott was on the field, indicating that he is close to completing the concussion protocol. Gary Brightwell did not practice due to sickness.
Nick Gates might go to left guard if center Jon Feliciano (neck) returns as expected. Gates played center during Feliciano’s absence.
“We’ll approach it day by day,” Daboll said. “By Friday, we’re hoping to have some people back.”
Defensive end Quincy Roche, offensive tackle Devery Hamilton, and defensive back Trenton Thompson were re-signed to the practice squad. Injuries necessitated the elimination of all of them within the previous week as part of the active-roster gymnastics required. Receiving back Robert Foster was cut from the practice squad.
»Evan Neal and Azeez Ojulari are expected to return to the Giants lineup«