The Giants won’t see the Patriots ’likely starting quarterback Wednesday during the first of two joint practices.
This is because Cam Newton, who appears to have won an open competition against rookie Mac Jones, violated NFL COVID-19 protocols and cannot rejoin his teammates until Thursday. Newton went to a team-approved medical appointment outside of New England and “due to a misunderstanding” about testing outside an NFL facility must now stay five days despite receiving negative results , according to the Patriots.
Giants coach Joe Judge declined to say whether he will use Newton as a teaching moment of accountability to his players, but it’s easy to imagine that all NFL coaches have just revived 2020 and plans to contingency required if a key player is not eligible for a regular season game.
Newton’s necessary five-day “re-entry” into the team indicates that he is among the less than 10 percent of unvaccinated NFL players against COVID-19. The Giants are vaccinated more than 90%, according to owner John Mara, but there are indications that many beginners remain unvaccinated and are therefore subjected to daily testing, unlike the rest of the team.
“Should anyone miss a match due to any kind of failure to follow the protocol, we have been very clear with our players all the time that they obviously have a chance to choose and we will support their choice, but the protocols have to follow it and make sure we are on the same page, ”the judge said. “I want to make it clear that I do not know the situation that happened [with Newton] and I will not comment on anyone else ‘s team. “
Here are some injury updates:
RB Saquon Barkley (knee) is expected to be more involved this week than in joint practices against the Browns, when he was limited to giants-only exercises. “I can’t say that means 11 to 11 or seven to seven,” the judge said.
WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring) was ruled out 11-11 against the Patriots. The judge also did not commit to Golladay’s return for the September 12 regular season opener. “We’ll see where he goes physically,” the judge said. “I have no long-term answer.”
WR Kadarius Toney (undisclosed) will start the week with the group of rehabilitation players alongside the practice. “We’ll see if we can incorporate it more into some of the early exercises and we’ll see if at this point it’s ready to progress and do something more competitive,” the judge said.
OT Nate Solder (muscle) has not played in either of the two preseason games after opting not to play last season. He is in a period of ascent for his work. “I will physically see where he is in terms of getting into the game,” the judge said.
The fact that Sunday’s game against the Patriots is a “general rehearsal” for the regular season doesn’t mean all Sunday’s starters are the starters of Week 1. Payrolls should range from 85 to 80 players on on Tuesday and then at 53 on 31 August.
“I wouldn’t assume any of that,” the judge said. “Obviously, when we go out there on Sunday, it will be reflected directly in terms of people’s performance up to this point. However, there will be many guys to whom we will see one last look. We will have to take a look at certain types in certain situations, see how they are stored within certain units and the chemistry and the impact they can produce ”.