Coach Brian Daboll met with the media before Wednesday’s practice as the Giants gear up for Christmas Day in Philadelphia. With the game on Monday (4:30 p.m.), the Giants will also practice Thursday and Saturday with players off Friday.
Here’s what you need to know from Daboll previewing Week 16:
While the first injury report won’t be released until Thursday, Daboll provided a few updates on health statuses. Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence won’t practice to start the week as he is still “working through” a hamstring injury.
Kicker Randy Bullock, meanwhile, is not expected to be ready this week. After he made a 56-yard field goal on the opening drive of Sunday’s loss in New Orleans, Bullock left with a hamstring injury suffered on the ensuing kickoff. Cade York, a second-year pro on the practice squad, will be the next kicker up – not punter Jamie Gillan, who made a 40-yarder last week in an emergency situation.
On bringing in York, a former LSU kicker and 2022 fourth-round draft choice by the Browns: “Thought he was a good young player to work with. He’s done a good job out here, and glad we have him right now. He’s worked hard, and glad we got him. … He’s got a strong leg. He kicks the ball well, pretty accurate. We’ve continued to work with him since he’s been here. So, again, it’s good, particularly when that happens, to have someone here for you that you’re able to hopefully kick for you.”
Tight end Darren Waller is doing “OK” after playing in his first game since Week 8. Waller caught four passes for 40 yards, including a 29-yard catch-and-run.
With Matt Patricia now calling the plays for the Eagles’ defense, Daboll said he has “his own touch to things” but wouldn’t say it’s “drastically different.” He added, “There’s certain elements that are maybe a little bit different, so he’s a heck of a coach.”
Daboll overlapped with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during their days at Alabama. “He’s a winner. Since high school, he’s won over 75 percent of his games. He’s a heck of a player, heck of a quarterback, heck of a person. He’s a good player.”
Daboll knows the challenge ahead despite the Eagles’ current three-game losing streak. “Yeah, they’re 10-4. They’re pretty good.”
Daboll confirmed that offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu will not return this season. The third-round draft choice from a year ago has been on injured reserve since mid-October with a toe injury.
Offensive tackle Matt Peart and running back Gary Brightwell have been designated for return. Both players are now eligible to practice, and the Giants have 21 days to activate them from injured reserve to the 53-man roster.
Peart, a third-round draft choice in 2020, has not played since Week 5 in Miami due to a shoulder injury. He has appeared in 40 games across four seasons, including five at left tackle and one at right tackle.
Brightwell, meanwhile, has not played since Week 7 vs. Washington because of a hamstring issue. A sixth-round selection in 2021, Brightwell has amassed 256 yards from scrimmage with one rushing touchdown in 37 career games. He has also returned 26 kickoffs for 555 yards (21.3-yard average), all of which came in 2022.