Cam Skattebo remains out of Giants training camp as New York's injuries on offense pile up
While there is still a month to go before the NFL season begins, the injuries are starting to pile up for the Giants on offense. Skattebo, their fourth-round pick out of Arizona State who was expected to be part of the running back rotation, was among those not participating Monday because of a hamstring injury.
'With all the guys that are hurt, they're all making progress,' coach Brian Daboll said when asked about Skattebo. 'If they can be out there, they'll be out there. ... Well see where we're at each day. Everybody is day by day.'
Thomas appears further away than that as he works back from surgery in October for a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. Asked about Thomas ramping up this week with the stated goal of him being ready for the opener Sept. 7 at Washington, Daboll said only, 'He'll just keep working his rehab and continue to get better.'
Going into his sixth pro season, the concern for Thomas is more about getting him fully healthy and less about the snaps he is missing. That is not so much the case for rookies such as Skattebo and Collins — the latter of whom is an undrafted free agent wide receiver trying to make the team at a crowded position.
'Any time you can't be out there, it doesn't help you,' Daboll said. 'Take advantage of the meeting time, but there's no substitute for being out on the field playing, particularly young players that are trying to earn a spot.'
With Collins and veteran Darius Slayton not taking part in team practice and Bryce Ford-Wheaton on injured reserve after after tearing an Achilles tendon, 26-year-old Montrell Washington has impressed when given the opportunity to run with the first- and second-team offenses. Washington made a dazzling one-handed catch on a pass from first-round pick Jaxson Dart during 7-on-7 drills Monday, adding to his growing list of camp highlights.
'My motto is, 'A play a day keeps the coaches away,' so I'm trying to make as many plays as I can,' said Washington, who signed as a free agent after stints with Kansas City and Denver. 'We don't like when guys go down, but I'm just trying to be there to show the guys I'm available, I'm locked in (and) I can be that guy to make a play for you guys when y'all need me to.'
Running back has also been thinned, with Eric Gray also on the PUP list and Rushawn Baker waived with an injury designation. With the first preseason game set for Saturday at Buffalo, the Giants signed Jonathan Ward after a workout Monday.
Ward, like Washington, is a newcomer. Devin Singletary is very familiar with Daboll's system from their time together in Buffalo and has embraced getting more carries in practice.
'Every day you've got to prove yourself,' Singletary said. 'Every day, we like to say, the rent is due, so for me, it doesn't matter if it's one opportunity or 30. I'm trying to make the most of every opportunity because nothing is given. Everything is earned in the league, and when you get an opportunity, you want to make the best of it every time and that's how you get more opportunities.'
Daboll called Singletary 'a vet that's having a really good camp' by keeping his head down and working. Usurped for the starting job last year by Tyrone Tracy in part because of a groin injury that hampered him, Singletary feels he's back to 100% now and ready to contribute.
'Me, personally, I'm feeling good,' Singletary said. 'Just trying to make plays when my number is called. That's the name of the game."
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Phillies' reliever Alvarado rejoins team following PED ban, will be eligible later this month
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies reliever José Alvarado has rejoined the team following an 80-game suspension for violating baseball's performance-enhancing drugs policy. HT Image Alvarado was back in Philadelphia before Tuesday night's home game against Baltimore and is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment soon. The Venezuelan left-hander is eligible to return to the big leagues on Aug. 19, but can't pitch in the postseason if the Phillies qualify due to Major League Baseball rules on PED bans. Philadelphia led the NL East by 1 1/2 games over the New York Mets heading into Tuesday's games. 'I am fully aware that using prohibited substances is wrong and I would never intend to do so because I have always had great respect for the game, my organization, my teammates and the fans, all of whom I want to offer my sincere apologies,' Alvarado posted on Instagram. "I made a mistake and therefore, I have faced the consequences set forth by MLB. Going forward, my focus is on working hard to help the team win.' Alvarado was suspended on May 18 following a positive test for an external testosterone. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the positive test was caused by a weight loss drug Alvarado took during the offseason. The Phillies used several players in the closer role after Alvarado's suspension before acquiring Jhoan Duran in a trade with Minnesota for two top prospects last week. Alvarado had a 2.70 ERA, 25 strikeouts and seven saves in 20 appearances before the suspension. The 30-year-old will lose $4.5 million, half his $9 million salary this year as part of a $22 million, three-year contract he signed in 2023, as a result of the suspension. Alvarado is 19-26 with a 3.40 ERA in 399 relief appearances and one start over nine major league seasons with Tampa Bay (2017-20) and the Phillies (2021-25). He has 52 saves in 68 appearances and appeared in 21 postseason games over the last three seasons. ___ AP MLB:
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Playing both sides of the ball is now part of Travis Hunter's regular routine with the Jaguars
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Playing both sides of the ball is now part of Travis Hunter's regular practice routine with the Jacksonville Jaguars. HT Image The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and the second overall pick in this year's NFL draft played offense and defense during training camp Tuesday. He wore a teal, No. 12 jersey at receiver and then threw on a white, loose-fitting, No. 12 penny when it was time to line up at cornerback. 'It's funny seeing him (go) back and forth,' quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. 'It's pretty crazy. Never seen anything like it.' Hunter had a minor issue with the sideline swap. Offensive teammates grabbed his baggy covering on several occasions, which helped them keep Hunter at bay during running plays; it won't be a problem during games since he won't have to change jerseys. Hunter first switched back and forth during a scrimmage at EverBank Stadium on Saturday night, playing 17 snaps with the first-team offense and 21 with the first-team defense. He got similar work Tuesday, logging nine snaps on each side of the ball in 11-on-11 drills. It's the kind of versatility the Jaguars envisioned when they gave up a second-round pick and a 2026 first-rounder to move up three spots and select Hunter. 'It might not be every single day, but I would say it would probably be a little bit more normal than not,' coach Liam Coen said. The Jaguars planned for months to get to the point where Hunter was working interchangeably on both sides. They used him solely at receiver to open organized team activities in May and then expanded his usage as the team stacked practices. By the start of training camp last month, he was working a day on offense and then a day on defense. But getting him to do both within minutes, sometimes seconds, was the next step in his NFL evolution. 'Hopefully, more offense,' Lawrence quipped. 'Just the way he plays, the energy he plays with. Even just little things like interacting with the fans and the juice he brings into the stadium. That stuff does mean something. 'Not everyone necessarily has that personality, but he has something about him that's just special. The energy he brings and the energy he plays with and the joy and all that stuff — the way he runs around — it's fun to watch and it's fun to play with a guy like that. I think he's starting to play a lot faster now that he knows the system and can play free.' Hunter gives the small-market franchise more star power than it's had in decades — maybe ever. He caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns last season at Colorado and had 35 tackles, 11 pass breakups, eight forced incompletions and four interceptions while allowing just one touchdown. The Jaguars intend to use him primarily as a slot receiver on offense and as an outside cornerback in certain packages on defense. It's familiar territory for someone who played more snaps (1,461) than anyone else in college football in 2024. It's unclear how much — if at all — Hunter will play in Jacksonville's preseason opener against Pittsburgh on Saturday. Coen and his staff are 'still working through it.' He even texted Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Monday night to 'get on the same page' regarding starters. Coen was an assistant with the Las Angeles Rams, who rarely played starters and even rested backups, and with Tampa Bay, which played starters in the preseason in hopes of getting 'some quality work.' 'That is the ultimate debate,' Coen said. 'It's definitely a difficult decision that we've been wrestling back and forth with a little bit, but we'll have a better idea (Wednesday).' ___ AP NFL:
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump is creating a task force for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is establishing a task force on the 2028 Olympic Games being held in Los Angeles. HT Image Trump will sign an executive order on Tuesday to make the task force official, the White House said. The 2028 Games will be the first Olympics to be hosted by the U.S. since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Trump 'considers it a great honor to oversee this global sporting spectacle,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, calling sports one of the president's 'greatest passions.' LA28 president and chair Casey Wasserman said the task force "marks an important step forward in our planning efforts and reflects our shared commitment to delivering not just the biggest, but the greatest Games the world has ever seen in the summer of 2028.' During a briefing Tuesday afternoon, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the task force would 'coordinate across federal, state and local agencies to ensure streamlined visa processes, robust security and efficient transportation.' Along with the 2028 Summer Games, Trump has said that the 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico is among the events he's most looking forward to in his second term. In preparation for next year's competition, the governments of all three countries on Tuesday said they had held the first meeting of a trilateral coordinating council of government officials, industry leaders and security professionals discussing a variety of issues including preparedness for any security threats ahead of the World Cup. ___ Kinnard can be reached at ___ Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed reporting.
