Preston Parker will get a chance against the Texans this weekend.
Credit: Getty Images
The Giants will be shorthanded on both sides of the ball entering their Week 3 matchup against the Texans. But of all the players missing practice on Wednesday, Odell Beckham Jr. was the least surprising, considering he’s done very little since being drafted in May.
It was Beckham, though, who gave Giants’ fans false hope earlier this week when he deemed himself “improving” and added he was “roughly a 50/50 chance” for the Texans game.
Head coach Tom Coughlin eliminated any notion of Beckham making his debut, even with the team shorthanded due to the loss of Jerrel Jernigan for the season.
“He’ll be right there [on the side fields] learning,” said Coughlin. “But he won’t be taking any snaps.”
Coughlin noted the next man up will be unheralded veteran Preston Parker.
“Preston, he’ll have that opportunity,” Coughlin said of the fourth-year receiver. “He’s been in the league. He’s very quick. I think we saw that the other day [with a 29-yard reception against the Cardinals]. He’s played before, which helps. He’s got a good attitude [and] is a tough guy. Hopefully he’ll make a strong contribution.”
If Giants fans are wondering about the availability of preseason sensation Corey Washington, Coughlin hinted the talented but raw player still has a ways to go before he’s ready for any role in the offense. The best Coughlin could offer was a small package to take advantage of the wideout’s jump-ball ability.
“He gets better every day [but] he’s gotta continue to improve as a special teamer as well, first. That’s where he can really help us for the time being,” said Coughlin. “[Washington] can of course help in the green zone [inside the opponent’s 20-yard line] because he’s an excellent target … [but] there may be room for some opportunities for others to get involved. We’ll have five receivers up and they’ll all have an opportunity.”
Washington noted he needs to make a special teams impact to really catch the coach’s eye. But at the same time, the rookie said he’s excited at the prospect that he’s just one play away from showing his wares on the field for real.
“I’m itching to get on the field [as a receiver]. I’m getting close,” Washington said. “I just have to wait. Hopefully, they find some packages for me.”
Big Blue notes …
»Parker will get the first shot at filling Jernigan’s role in the offense’s three-wide receiver set, but Julian Talley, who was promoted from the practice squad on Tuesday, may also get some reps.
»The Giants have used three wideouts on 33 percent of their first-and-10 plays, so there may be more than a handful of plays on Sunday where inexperienced receivers are on the field at once.
»Cornerback Walter Thurmond (pectoral) joined Jernigan on injured reserve. Both were injured in the Arizona game.
»Linebacker Jon Beason (foot/ankle) was also injured in last week’s home opener, although Big Blue is hoping that the veteran will play versus the Texans.
“I wouldn’t put anything past that guy,” Coughlin said of Beason’s availability against the Texans.
If Beason can’t go, Coughlin noted that either Mark Herzlich or Jameel McClain will be the next man up in the middle.
»Quarterback Eli Manning rarely dips his toe into any controversial subject, but he managed to give his opinion on the Adrian Peterson child abuse saga.
“You just try to go home and hug your children,” Manning said.“It makes you want to not put them in harm’s way.”
»The Giants have applied to the league’s office for a roster exemption for offensive lineman Eric Herman, who was reinstated early from the suspended list as part of the new player conduct policy.
Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.
