The Padded Cap Is Reached
The New York Giants have officially hit the limit on padded practices allowed by the league. After three straight days in full gear, the team will not wear pads on Thursday. They are still scheduled for a full 2½-hour session at training camp. This shift is required by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The players get a break from the heavy hits, but the work does not stop.
Too Many Players Injured
Big Blue View reports that several key players sat out Wednesday or left early. Brian Burns and Beau Brade did not practice at all. Malachi Fields only did individual work while Dru Phillips left the session early. Coach John Harbaugh called these minor injuries. The question now is if anyone stays out for the rest of camp. A long list of minor knocks can turn into a big problem fast.
Beckham And The Kicker Battle
Odell Beckham has shown promise with two good practices in a row. He needs to keep that momentum going if he wants to make the team. The placekicking race heats up as Ben Sauls steps in for his turn. He will compete against Dominic Zvada for the job on Thursday. Fans in West Virginia have one more open practice on Friday. Saturday offers a final chance to see the squad before they leave the area. The lack of pads on Thursday feels like a smart move given the injury list. You cannot risk more bodies when the pads come off. The team needs to protect Brian Burns and the rest of the defense. If Harbaugh says these are minor issues, he must prove it by getting them back on the field. The competition between Sauls and Zvada is fun to watch, but the health of the roster matters more. We need to see Odell Beckham stay consistent, not just have two good days. The clock is ticking on the open practices, and the team is running out of time to fix these small issues before the season starts. Is this too many players out for just eight practices?
