The New York Giants officially reported for training camp on Tuesday and the big surprise was edge rusher Azeez Ojulari landing on the NFI list with a hamstring injury.
In addition to Ojulari landing on NFI, the Giants also placed offensive linemen Matt Peart (knee) and Nick Gates (leg), and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (Achilles) on the PUP list.
Those three moves were entirely expected. In fact, many anticipated more players would land on PUP, including wide receiver Kadarius Toney and linebacker Blake Martinez. But they weren’t.
Not only did Toney and Martinez avoid PUP, so did wide receiver Kenny Golladay, left tackle Andrew Thomas and cornerback Rodarius Williams.
Toney has dealt with a multitude of injuries over his first season-plus, while Thomas had an offseason ankle surgery. Martinez and Williams are both recovering from torn ACLs, and Golladay spent some time on the side this spring due to an unknown injury.
Further, rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux was given the green light after the Giants were extra cautious with him this spring, sidelining him for minicamp.
For a team regularly crippled by negative injury news, this is a welcomed breath of fresh air. And while they’re still likely to take added caution with these players early in camp, this is an encouraging start.
