Giants training camp: Why Abdul Carter chose No. 3

Cam Skattebo believes in his football skills even if you don't

Cam Skattebo has enjoyed being a cult hero the last year or so. But the Giants running back also knows the perception of him being a wild ball of energy can overshadow his football skills.

Skattebo certainly played a role in that, whether it’s appearing at a WWE event last winter or falling on an attempted backflip this summer. Yet he cautioned that if folks doubt his talent, check his resume.

“Each level that I've went up, I think the football skills asset people think is less and less as we get higher and higher,” Skattebo said. “And I think I only get better and better with the competition. People can keep thinking what they want, but I think I'm a really good running back.”

The Giants seem to think so. Skattebo has opened most practices as the first running back with the first team. But the team also felt a need to strengthen that position group by signing veteran Najee Harris this week.

Skattebo is aware that people doubt his ability because of his personality. Some also doubt his career longevity of because his physical style of play. But he believed his work will speak for itself.

“Everyone loves to talk about me because I'm crazy and do a whole bunch of different things here and there,” Skattebo said. “I'm just going to continue to be the best football player that I can be.

He ignores most of the outside noise by staying more off his phone, playing video games or spending time with his girlfriend Chloe Rodriguez. Of course, he’s also distracting himself by putting work into his craft.

Skattebo is aware that his game will say more than his actions. Any publicity is good publicity but when people speak about him off the field, he wants to make sure they also talk about him on the field.

“If they think I'm not as good of a running back, they’ve still got to play me that week,” Skattebo said. “So, whether they think that or not, then I guess we'll see that week.”

'I don't know that he's made a mistake on a run read yet'

Abdul Carter made headlines last year after he was drafted when he wanted Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 jersey. Then he pivoted to wanting No. 11, his college number but one the Giants retired for quarterback Phil Simms.

Carter settled on 51 as a rookie. But this offseason, the linebacker switched to No. 3 and he explained this week why he chose the number.

“It was honestly the best number available after I had 51, but it is some crazy numerology,” Carter said. “I was born on October 3, 2003, and I was the third pick (in the NFL Draft).”

A new number has added to Carter being more focused and having a greater impact in his second training camp. John Harbaugh has often raved about Carter’s approach and professionalism. This week, he praised Carter for his football IQ.

“I think it's really high,” Carter said. “I mean, if you watch the plays, you have to say so because the results are really good right now. He's studying the game. I don't know that he's made a mistake on a run read yet. Maybe I've missed one, but he's done really well.”

Dart 'really happy' how offense looks against Dolphins

During training camp, the Giants’ offense has been a work in progress. Yes, they’re learning a new system but at times, they lacked chemistry and efficiency.

That’s why Thursday’s practice in Miami was a good step forward. The offense took more chances against the Dolphins and it paid off with big plays, including Dart connecting on a deep pass to rookie Malachi Fields.

“We're able to hit some big shots down the field, which I was really happy about,” Dart told reporters. “And then just the communication of the operation, I thought [went] really well. So, I think there's obviously things to learn from, but I think for the most part I was really happy how we came out.”

Things still need to click more over the next three weeks before the season opener. Dart credited the Giants’ defense for making things difficult for him leading up to the joint practice.

Yet perhaps that paid off with Dart having one of his better practice days. Progress isn’t linear but when it’s positive, that’s something Dart said he and the offense can build on even more.

"I think that we're just continually making adjustments, making corrections, installing new things, finding things that we're best at,” Dart said. “And I really feel like the past week, week and a half, we've really started to excel and take the right steps. And I think that that's really where you've seen our offense kind of mold into what we think it's really going to be.”

Francis Mauigoa left practice with an injury

Giants rookie right guard Francis Mauigoa left Thursday’s joint practice with an injury and didn’t return after being evaluated by trainers.

Harbaugh told reporters that Mauigoa suffered a stinger that doesn’t seem serious. Joshua Ezeudu filled in for Mauigoa the remainder of practice.

Receiver Malik Nabers also was held out because Harbaugh said the Giants couldn’t control the environment to protect him. Nabers participated in a few team drills the last three practices, but this was the first time he hasn’t practiced since the Giants’ third practice in West Virginia.

New running back Najee Harris got his first taste of team drills Thursday. The veteran is still working his way back into shape from an Achilles injury in Week 3 last season, but Harbaugh said he was ready for more work after just doing individual drills on Tuesday.

“He looked good today,” Harbaugh told reporters. “Some guys are going to say fresh legs, but we're all going to have fresh legs in the first game. So, I was happy to see it. He looked good.

Fights!

It was inevitable that the Giants and Dolphins’ joint practice would lead to some fights. There were a few Thursday in Miami.

One fight involved Jameis Winston and rookie lineman J.C. Davis along with Dolphins trio Keith Cooper, Ronnie Harrison and Zeek Biggers. Receiver Calvin Austin III was bothered by a late hit which led to Winston getting involved.

Another fight saw Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson threw a punch and Kayvon Thibodeaux retaliate by knocking Jackson down.

John Harbaugh understood that fighting was going to happen even despite setting up rules of engagement beforehand. But he did remove right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor from the Giants’ final drive after he threw a punch.

"I think as long as it doesn't get out of control where we get a violent type of situation, it's fine," Harbaugh told reporters. “We decided that anybody that threw a punch in those scrimmages would be treated like the game. That's why Jermaine didn't practice toward the end. He didn't really throw a hard punch, but it was to the facemask, and that'll get you in the game.”

6 sacks later, Burns still not thrilled by the defense vs. Miami

The Giants’ pass rush conquered two opponents at their joint practice Thursday: the Dolphins' offensive line and Miami’s thick humidity.

With temperatures in the low 90s, the Giants showed why their linebackers can make things difficult for quarterbacks. Brian Burns told reporters the Giants were credited with six sacks, and coach John Harbaugh added the pass rush was “ferocious.”

Yet Burns wasn’t pleased because he expects more from his unit.

“I feel like we didn’t play to the standard that I hold us to or that our leaders hold our defense to,” Burns told reporters. “This is our first joint (practice), you’re trying to be smart, make sure everybody get taken care but at the same time, they’re not our team. So when you have an opportunity to hit them, you hit them. You hold them up and they get hit again.

The Giants can certainly reach a high level given the potential they have with Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. "\Rookie inside linebacker Arvell Reese will also have chances to rush the quarterback as will veteran Chauncey Golston, who reportedly had multiple sacks Thursday.

Facing another team gave a glimpse of what the Giants are capable of. The pass rush is a strength under first-year coordinator Dennard Wilson, but the Dolphins’ offense isn’t expected to be one of the NFL’s best.

The Giants start the season against two high-powered offenses in the Cowboys and Rams. That might explain why Burns wanted to see more out of his group. He has high standards and he wants his team to chase them by setting a tone immediately instead of reacting to what teams do.

Even on a great day by the defense, there’s still room to get better.

“It just took a little bit to get going but I understand it’s our first joint,” Burns said. “I let it be known we don’t wait to get punched in the mouth…to fire off on somebody.”

Brian Burns goes from unranked to 14th-best player in NFL Top 100

The respect for Brian Burns around the NFL continues to grow after his 16 1/2 sacks last season. Burns was listed at No. 14 in the NFL's annual Top 100 players list as chosen by fellow players.

Burns wasn't listed in last year's ranking so this is a sizable jump after he was second in the NFL in sacks and made the All Pro-second team. Burns is also the only Giants player on the list after last year saw Dexter Lawrence (No. 17) and Malik Nabers (67) honored.

It's another mark of respect for someone who will be the leader of the Giants' defense this year. But as Burns said in West Virginia last month, it just means raising the standard and living up to more expectations after his first All=Pro selection.

"I got something else to work towards, trying to get first team," Burns said. "The goals just keep getting higher. That's a great accomplishment, I appreciate you guys (voting) for me or whatever, however that works, but there's still a lot of meat left on the bone, so you got to keep working."

Giants add DT Barten following Faalele trade

With Daniel Faalele traded to the Jaguars, the Giants had an open roster spot. They filled it by claiming defensive tackle Ben Barten off waivers Wednesday.

Barten was last with the Jets but initially signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent this spring.

The Giants need depth at defensive tackle after Bobby Jamison-Travis and Josh Tupou didn't practice Tuesday.

Harbaugh teaches rookie CB Hood a bit of lesson

Colton Hood had a teaching moment in practice this week. The rookie cornerback was called for pass interference on one play and John Harbaugh appeared to chew him out before the two embraced.

Harbaugh made clear that being too physical and redirecting a receiver is going to be a flag every time. But it’s a lesson Hood learned with love and Harbaugh respected his competitive nature.

“He wants to win every snap,” Harbaugh said. “And I think it's part of the journey for the young corners all around the league. Every single rookie corner in the league is making this journey in terms of what is allowable.”

Hood is continuing to shuffle first-team reps with Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome and Deonte Banks. But to stay on the field, players have to avoid penalties.

Hood drew an illegal contact penalty last Saturday against the Vikings but it was declined. So Harbaugh staying on Hood's case is a sign of trust in his development.

As long as he doesn’t repeat those mistakes often.

“Here's a young corner that's going to be playing a lot of football,” Harbaugh said. “So, you've got to accelerate the pace with that process. So, he's in that process right now.”

Rules set for Giants-Dolphins joint practice

Joint practices help break up the monotony of training camp. The Giants will hope for that Thursday at the Dolphins.

These practices tend to make headlines if fights occur, but the goal is always to be productive, not spark a battle royale. That’s why John Harbaugh has agreed to what he called rules of engagement with Dolphins first-year coach Jeff Hafley.

“We’ll emphasize protecting each other's quarterbacks even more,” Harbaugh said. “Because as soon as somebody gets close, and the other team's going to talk about getting close, and we can't have that. Nobody can get close to the quarterback. That's going to be a major point of emphasis.”

Harbaugh added there won’t be any blindside shots nor tackling players to the ground. Players will instead wrap each other up when tackling.

Hafley told reporters Tuesday that he’s not looking to out-scheme opponents in joint practices. Rather, it’s about refining technique and fundamentals.

“It's trying to figure out who we are, what we have, get our players better, get them more confident, push them to compete rather than try to out-scheme, confuse and beat the New York Giants in a football practice,” Hafley said. “That would be more ego and that would be a selfish move on my part than it would be about our team and trying to get them better.”

Why Harbaugh has the Giants practicing in the afternoon

The Giants head to Miami on Wednesday for a new experience this training camp. And not just because it’s their first and only joint practice.

The Giants will practice Thursday morning with the Dolphins. It’s a change of pace from John Harbaugh having practice in the afternoon, which is different from previous coach Brian Daboll having training camp in the morning.

So why has Harbaugh started practices at 1:30 p.m.? Partly to prepare for games being played in the afternoon or evening.

“You don't play in the morning. That's one thing,” Harbaugh said Tuesday. “And then what we found was over time was there's a certain preparation that you really have to get your body ready to both perform at the highest level and to, we believe, protect yourself. And it's just hard to do that in the morning.”

The Giants focus on strength, conditioning and mobility from 7:30-8:30 a.m. After that, they have meetings and a tempo practice that’s more like a jog-through to refine technique. Before practice begins, the Giants do a 15-to-30 minute preparation period to get ready for it.

It also helps the team isn’t practicing in a warmer climate like Miami or Houston where the afternoon heat can be oppressive. But this is another way the Giants are adjusting to Harbaugh’s plan for a better payoff next season.

“The idea is to have them ready for what they're going to have to do,” Harbaugh said. “Whatever the level of practice is so they would perform at the highest level that we think they physically can and so we can keep them safer.”

The Giants did practice Wednesday morning to prepare themselves for practicing at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Yet for the most part, they’ve adjusted to their afternoon practice schedule.

“I prefer to practice in the morning, but however he wants it,” linebacker Abdul Carter said. “In the morning, noontime, it doesn't matter. We’re going to work.”

Source: Giants trade OL Daniel Faalele

The Giants are receiving a sixth-round 2027 draft pick after trading offensive lineman Daniel Faalele to the Jaguars Wednesday, a league source confirmed to Newsday.

Given that the team signed Faalele to a one-year deal in April after he played four seasons with the Ravens, it's a good add to the team's draft capital.

The Giants now have two sixth-round picks in next year's draft and have six picks total in what's regarded as a strong draft class. (Their seventh-round pick was sent to the Dolphins last year in the Darren Waller trade.)

Faalele was expected to add depth at right guard as a former Raven familiar with John Harbaugh's system. He started every game the last two seasons in Baltimore.

However, with the Giants drafting Francis Mauigoa, Mauigoa's taken almost all of the first team reps at right guard. Faalele has mostly been seen in practice with the second team.

With Faalele gone, the Giants will turn to Aaron Stinnie, Evan Neal or Joshua Ezeudu for guard depth behind Mauigoa. Stinnie has the most backup guard experience after doing so the last two seasons and also starting a game last season.

Neal, who the Giants re-signed to a one-year deal, was considered a longshot to make the roster after he played mostly third-team reps in practice and did third-team duty in the preseason opener. However, this opens a door for Neal to earn a roster spot after his Giants tenure has been underwhelming.

The Giants drafted Neal in the first round in 2022 as an offensive tackle but he hasn't played in a game since Week 17 in 2024. He switched to guard last season but was a healthy scratch for nearly every game.

Ezeudu, another member of the Giants' 2022 draft class, missed the 2025 season with a calf injury. The Giants' re-signed him this offseason on a one-year, prove-it deal.

Nabers will have to face contact in practice, not a game, before being cleared

One hurdle that Malik Nabers will have to clear before he returns to play is absorbing contact in practice.

It was another step John Harbaugh revealed after Nabers did team drills Tuesday for the third consecutive practice. He wore the red non-contact jersey and participated in more 7-on-7 drills in addition to two reps in 11-on-11 work. For the first time, he took consecutive snaps in a team drill, which he did twice in 7-on-7 work.

It was more progress. So was hearing Harbaugh say Nabers won't get his first taste of contact in an regular season game.

"He'll be out of a red jersey before he plays in a game," Harbaugh said Tuesday. "He's going to have to get bumped around and hit and fronted up so he knows how to, you just have to feel that and know how to deal with it to protect yourself."

Harbaugh added it remains a day-by-day process with Nabers' recovery. It hasn't been determined what he'll do, if anything, in Thursday's joint practice at the Dolphins. Based on that logic, he won't play in Saturday's preseason game in Miami and the Giants have their final preseason game next Friday against the Jets.

Harbaugh said there's certain formulas that measure risk factors for each player. That helps determine how much more work Nabers can do along with how he communicates with the training staff.

Once there's a threshold to where Nabers can face contact, it's a good sign he's close to game action. But he's still not close to that step just yet and Harbaugh preached patience with Nabers' progress.

"I think you just do it slowly," Harbaugh said of ramping Nabers up. "And you just keep building to the point where it's not like all of a sudden he's doing something, and now he's doing everything. You just work your way toward that."

Carter sets big-time expectations for Big Blue's defense

Abdul Carter isn’t shy about bold proclamations. He gave another one on Tuesday to set a goal for his defense.

Carter was asked if the Giants should lead the NFL in sacks given their depth of pass rushers. His answer reminded why he said earlier in camp that his goal is to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year in his second year.

“Absolutely,” Carter said. “We gotta put in the work, though. So I don’t want to talk about that. We’re gonna be about it.”

Between Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants’ outside linebackers are the team's strength. It creates variety on the field where if Carter and Burns line up on the outside, it allows Thibodeaux and Chauncey Golston to line up inside to force mismatches.

Does that mean the edge rushers should carry the load on defense? Carter thinks so. It’s pressure that’s already been earned with Burns making the All-Pro second team after having 16 1/2 sacks last season.

Carter is expected to take a second-year leap and Thibodeaux is will be a free agent after the season. For Carter, that helps create a greater sense of responsibility in the room to excel so the defense can reach its full potential.

“We already say like this team goes as far as we go," Carter said. "So we already put that chip on our shoulder."

Giants cut ties with Juju Smith-Schuster

With the Giants signing Najee Harris, they released receiver Juju Smith-Schuster to free up a roster spot.

Smith-Schuster had been dealing with a lingering knee injury and hadn't participated in team drills since early last week. He also didn't play in the Giants' preseason opener last Saturday.

Harris' familiarity with Harbaugh will come in handy

Najee Harris is no stranger to how John Harbaugh runs his teams. During his first four seasons in the NFL, Harris watched up close as his Steelers faced Harbaugh’s Ravens twice a year in the AFC North.

Harris felt a kinship with his former rival coach, making it easier for him to sign with the Giants on Tuesday for a one-year deal.

“Me playing against him a lot of times, I know the type of style of football he wants,” Harris said. “I think that we align with each other with what type of football we want to play. So I think that just coming here is a good opportunity and just willing to just put my foot in there and help out any way I can.”

Harris only did individual position drills and was a spectator for most of practice. He said he was cleared two months ago to do football drills after his Achilles injury last season with the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh.

John Harbaugh said it’ll take two-to-three weeks for Harris to get back in football shape. But since he knows what type of running back he’ll be, it won’t take long for Harris to fit in the Giants’ run-heavy offense.

“[I] have a good feel for who he is as a player,” Harbaugh said. "Everybody that’s been around him, my brother, G-Ro [senior offensive assistant Greg Roman], Mike Tomlin, loves him as a teammate. I’m excited for the possibilities.”

So is Harris, who can’t seem to quit being around the Harbaugh family just yet.

“[John] Harbaugh knew me ever since I got in the league and he knows all the stuff that I need to work on and all the stuff that I’m good at,” Harris said. “So to hear that and have him coach me will be really good for me.”

What's next for Malik Nabers?

The Giants welcomed the sight of Malik Nabers in team drills the last two practices. The question now is what are his next steps going forward?

This week is an interesting setup because the Giants practice Tuesday and then have a joint practice Thursday at the Dolphins. It’s their lightest week of training camp, so John Harbaugh has to figure out how to keep Nabers fresh to continue his ramp-up program.

Harbaugh said Monday that he and the training staff are still considering how much Nabers practices in Miami. He also reiterated the Giants aren’t sticking to a firm timeline to have Nabers ready by the season opener on Sept. 13.

“I think we’ve just got to go with the process,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, you can't really say. You can hope. Sure, I hope he’s out there. I'm praying for it, certainly, but we'll see.”

The next steps will include taking consecutive snaps in team drills, something Nabers didn’t do last Thursday or Monday. He’ll still wear a non-contact jersey for some time but taking that off for a normal practice one is another story.

Nabers said he’s listening to his body and talking to the training staff on how he’s feeling. He’s trying to go full speed but also be smart knowing it’s a long-term process being back to himself.

“The most important thing is just completing every milestone that they have in front of me,” Nabers said. "Giving good effort, continue to come out here, be a great teammate to my teammates and…just leading every day by day and just continue to take that milestone day by day.”

The Giants likely want Nabers healthy in October and November than just September. As much as the offense is handicapped without Nabers, it’d be better served having him at full strength than not.

So the process continues. Glimmers of hope but also a waiting game to see when Nabers gets more work and how his body handles it.

“He's got to be in those situations where he just re-learns how to play the game and protect himself,” Harbaugh said. “So, I think the doctors are going to know the same time we're going to know, because we're all going to see it, and he's going to feel it"

Source: Najee Harris signs with the Giants

Najee Harris’ visit with the Giants led to a new home. The team signed the running back to a one-year deal Tuesday, a league source confirmed to Newsday.

Harris worked out Monday and goes from playing for Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers last year to John Harbaugh's Giants this year.

Harris is also coming off an Achilles injury last year. John Harbaugh noted that Harris isn't in football shape yet even though he looked good in workouts. But he's familiar with Harris being a physical back since Harbaugh’s Ravens faced him in the AFC North during Harris’ four seasons for the Steelers from 2021-24.

“He's a decorated vet,” Harbaugh said Monday. “And with those guys, generally, you just have to kind of see where they're at when you get them.”

The Giants need running back depth after waiving Dante Miller with an injury designation. Harris provides that even if Harbaugh said it will be a process to get him ready to contribute.

Skattebo critical of some things he missed in first game back

When Cam Skattebo ran out with the first-team offense Saturday, there was no worries about his surgically repaired ankle. It was just do what he’s always done.

“I had no feeling or any recollection of injury in my brain,” Skattebo said Monday. “I was ready to go play football and you know, adrenaline gets going. So everything goes away and you're just ready to touch the ball and go play ball.”

Skattebo did that with four carries for 19 yards. It was his first game since a season-ending ankle injury on Oct. 26 last year and first game at MetLife Stadium since his three-touchdown night on Oct. 9 on Thursday Night Football.

John Harbaugh said postgame he didn’t think Skattebo was 100% yet. Yet he was pleased getting his first, up-close look at Skattebo’s skill set since he’s only seen it on film.

“I saw the foot quickness, the feel for the game, the explosiveness,” Harbaugh said. “It was good to watch and good for me to see that.”

Skattebo was critical of details he missed in the game, including some issues with footwork. But he also admired Harbaugh's praise because after 10 months of not playing, it was good to see where he's at in his recovery.

"I think he knows that there's more to me," Skattebo said. "When I start pushing myself to get better and better each day, there's certain things that bother me here and there, but it's not stuff that lingers around or hangs around....just working out those kinks and those bruises and stuff and as time goes on, I'll feel better and better."

Malik Nabers: 'My soul's been dead for so long' but he's coming alive now

Malik Nabers returned to team drills last Thursday. On Monday, he felt more like himself.

Nabers, wearing a non-contact red jersey for the second straight practice, took seven non-consecutive snaps with the Giants in shells, instead of full pads. On the seventh snap, he caught a leaping pass in 7-on-7 drills where he spun around and corralled the ball with one hand before bringing his second hand on it.

Afterwards, Nabers slammed the ball on the turf. He wasn't angry, just fired up to make a play that resembled what he did as a rookie in 2024.

“It’s just that dog in me. It’s barking a little bit,” Nabers said. “It’s just like, he’s coming. That was just a little spark. It was just letting everybody know, he’s coming. He’s waking up a little bit.”

Nabers took four reps in 11-on-11 drills without being targeted and three in 7-on-7 drills. The latter three reps saw him targeted each time by Jaxson Dart, an increase from Nabers catching just one pass from Dart last week.

If the first practice was baby steps, Monday was more waddles into normalcy. Nabers still hasn’t been cleared to play in games yet and he finished practice off to the side working on routes with the Giants training staff.

John Harbaugh said the team is sticking with the process on Nabers without setting a clear timeline to be ready by the season opener on Sept. 13. Nabers, meanwhile, was just glad to clear another hurdle in his recovery from ACL/meniscus surgery.

Until last Thursday, he had just done individual drills with the receivers and caught passes from the quarterbacks without defenders around. When Nabers saw teammates cheering him during that practice, it brought as much joy as him making his highlight worthy catch Monday.

“My soul’s been dead for so long just being away from the game,” Nabers said. “So just getting out there, having my teammates behind me. Kind of felt that soul come back to life out there.”

Harbaugh's thoughts on Harris after his workout

John Harbaugh said “the hair on the back of my neck stood up” when he saw Najee Harris for his free agent workout with the Giants on Monday. For many years, Harbaugh and Harris were AFC North opponents at Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Might they be joining forces here with the Giants?

Not yet, Harbaugh said.

“He’s not back 100 percent, he’s not in football shape yet, so if we are able to do something it would be a process,” Harbaugh said of the running back who tore his Achilles last year with the Chargers, who are coached by John’s brother Jim Harbaugh. “Based on the workout I would say we feel like he has a shot. We just have to see how it goes.”

Harris, who was last listed at 6-1 and 245, would add significant size to a group of running backs where no one is taller than 5-11 or weighs more than 215. “He’s a big dude,” Harbaugh said. The Giants also lost Dante Miller to a groin injury in the preseason game, so they are short-handed at the position. Miller was waived with an injury designation on Monday.

Harris would also add experience having five years in the league. He's still just 28.

“He’s a decorated vet,” Harbaugh said. “With those guys generally you just have to see where they are at when you get them. Sometimes it works out great, sometimes it’s just OK, and other times it doesn’t work out.”

It sounds like the Giants want to find out which way this one will go.

Source: Giants add a former Saints quarterback

The Giants are signing quarterback Jake Haener, a league source confirmed to Newsday. Haener spent the last three seasons with the Saints.

Haener's signing comes after Giants' third-string quarterback Brandon Allen threw two interceptions in the Giants' preseason opener. The team likely won't keep four quarterbacks but Haener could provide better depth following Allen's rough outing.

Haener was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft and appeared in eight games, all in the 2024 season. He worked out for the Giants in July.

Najee Harris visits with Giants, source confirms

The Giants are bringing in running back Najee Harris for a visit Monday, a league source confirmed to Newsday.

Harris played last season for the Chargers but tore his left Achilles in Week 3, ending his season. Prior to that, Harris began his career with four consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards after being drafted in 2021 by the Steelers.

The Giants need running back depth after Dante Miller is being evaluated for a groin injury suffered in Saturday's preseason opener. By hosting Harris, it implies Miller could miss some time.

A Likely story for Dart

Jaxson Dart made clear in his two series Saturday who his favorite target he been since the spring: Tight end Isaiah Likely.

Dart completed three passes Saturday and two went to Likely. Both also came on third-down conversions, highlighting how much Dart trusts his new end.

Likely, who was signed this offseason, has been Dart’s favorite target through training camp. He’s jumped past Theo Johnson for first team reps, although the Giants will use a heavy dose of two-tight end sets with their run-first scheme.

“He has a great feel for the game. He is very instinctual, and I think that he does a great job of seeing it through that lens of a quarterback in a way,” Dart said Saturday. “You saw that a ton in his tape in Baltimore of him and Lamar (Jackson), where maybe it wasn't even drawn out the exact way, but just being able to have conversions and him being able to find empty zones and to get open.”

Tight ends coach Tim Kelly told Newsday last week that Dart and Likely spent a lot of time working to be on the same page. Likely often asked Dart how he wants to run routes, how to handle coverage adjustments.

“They’ve really worked to build that chemistry and I think that’s going to be something that they’re going to continue to have to build,” Kelly said.

Saturday didn’t give the two much time to build on the field together. Yet it was enough to show how well Dart and Likely could be a connection that grows more this season.

“When you have a guy like that that you can trust to get open, (it) definitely gives you a lot of confidence in those situations,” Dart said. “And he works hard, and we have a lot of conversations late at night in the film room just going over things. So, all of those things account to a lot of confidence.”

Only one injury to note from Giants' preseason opener

The Giants came through Saturday’s preseason opening loss relatively clean injury wise. The only concern was running back Dante Miller limping off the field in the fourth quarter.

Miller returned to the game but was still in pain afterwards. John Harbaugh said Sunday that Miller has a groin injury and the team will know later how serious it is.

“That’s about the only thing right now that is up in the air,” Harbaugh said.

He noted Saturday the Giants should get some guys back this week who were dealing with minor injuries. That could include cornerback Paulson Adebo, who Harbaugh said was day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

The Giants will have two practices this week before flying to Miami for a joint practice with the Dolphins on Thursday ahead of their preseason matchup Saturday.

Some notable Giants snap counts from preseason opener

Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese played 12 snaps on the first two drives. Besides his great tackle to stop Vikings running back Jordan Mason, he also assisted on another tackle with fellow rookie Colton Hood.

Speaking of Colton Hood, he played most of the first half at cornerback with 26 snaps, the same as Deonte Banks. Hood had three tackles and was flagged for an illegal contact penalty, although the Vikings declined.

Francis Mauigoa played 30 snaps in his preseason debut. The rookie right guard helped free up lanes for Devin Singletary's 40-yard catch-and-run with great blocking to carry his man forward. At one point, Mauigoa has his hands on two defenders while Singletary raced behind him.

Malachi Fields played 19 snaps. The rookie receiver caught the Giants' only touchdown and with three catches, he showed why he's pushing for more playing time. His 6-foot-4 frame brings a dimension the Giants lacked even with a healthy Malik Nabers.

Darius Alexander played 24 snaps and had the Giants' only sack. The second-year lineman also played well into the third quarter. Maybe that was a by-product of DJ Reader and Shelby Harris being held out, but it gave Alexander plenty of reps to show why he's pushing to be a starter.

Evan Neal played 20 snaps late in the second half at right guard. The Giants took a low-risk chance bringing Neal back on a one-year deal after he didn't play at all last season. However, Neal hasn't shown much to guarantee a roster spot. He's languished on third-team duty and barring any injuries, that's where he'll stay throughout camp and preseason.

Skattebo is back!

Cam Skattebo made his Giants return Saturday in his first action since his season-ending ankle injury in Week 8 last year.

Skattebo started with the first team and carried the ball on the first two plays. He finished with four carries for 19 yards and his best play was a 7-yard run where he stiff-armed Vikings defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins to the ground before pushing defensive back James Pierre back for extra yards.

"I was excited about it because I thought I saw the Cam Skattebo that you guys all know and saw last year," coach John Harbaugh said. "I don't know that he's 100% twitchy and explosive yet, but he's getting there. He's come a long way in the last two, three weeks."

Skattebo played only five snaps and left the locker room postgame before it was opened to media. He and Tyrone Tracy took first-team reps Saturday as they've done throughout training camp.

Even in a short appearance, Skattebo's presence uplifted the offense just as much as his pregame "Wooooo" fired up the team and fans at MetLife Stadium.

"The energy that he brings, his physicality. His will just all around brings a lot of positive and tough energy into our huddle," said Jaxson Dart. "Not only was I happy to have him back out there, but I was just happy for him. I know recoveries of injuries are tough.

"When you have the opportunity to be out there on the field, you take advantage of it, and I thought he did."

Tracy on missing block that led to hit on Dart: 'It ain't going to happen again'

Both Tyrone Tracy and Jaxson Dart said that there was a miscommunication in the protection scheme that led to Dart being sacked and briefly leaving the Giants' preseason opener. Tracy lost his footing and that left Dart exposed to a full-speed, direct hit by Vikings safety Jay Ward.

"I heard something that made me have my eyes on the wrong side," Tracy said postgame. "That was really it. I have to get my eyes right and block the guy. I did it two plays earlier. But on that play I heard an alert to the other side so I had my eyes to the left instead of the right."

Tracy didn't see Dart go into the tent and assumed his day was done because it was the last play of the quarter. But he took accountability knowing that blocking Ward was his responsibility and it could've been a far worse outcome had Dart been seriously hurt.

"There isn’t really anything I can do at that point besides apologize and tell him it isn’t going to happen again, which it won’t," Tracy said. "I don’t have many of those on my film pass-blocking wise. It ain’t going to happen again."

Dart took it as a teaching moment. The offense is still learning to jell and learn the nuances of offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's scheme. The Giants' first-team offense, minus left tackle Andrew Thomas being a healthy scratch, had two drives and went 3-for-4 on third down conversions over that span.

There are still kinks to sort out and the Giants have two more games, plus training camp, to figure it out.

"Stuff like that happens in preseason where we're not all on the same page in the protection," Dart said. "I think that's a moment that we can really look back on and learn from because you have events like that where the group is able to to watch it, experience it, and then make sure that we don't make that mistake moving forward."

Huge ovation for Odell

Odell Beckham Jr. arrived at MetLife Stadium on Saturday in an understated fashion. He wore a black shirt with a black cap and fit in with the majority of arrivals to the Giants locker room.

Except this was no ordinary game. Beckham Jr. hadn't played at MetLife Stadium since the Giants traded him after the 2018 season. Even if it was preseason, the return was special given what Beckham accomplished with the team from 2014-18. The fans knew it too as they gave Beckham an ovation when he took the field in the second quarter.

"Time to play ball," Beckham thought when he heard the reaction. "It's been a long time coming so I was just excited. Trying to stay in the moment, be where my feet are at and make plays."

Beckham caught two passes for six yards on three targets. His first catch was a six-yard slant from Jameis Winston with defenders. He had a chance for a third catch after breaking open from a defender and running downfield.

Instead, Winston connected with Malachi Fields on third down.

"I thought for a second it was about time to get back into the end zone," Beckham said. "Everything lit up."

Beckham didn't play in the fourth quarter. But as happy as he was for himself playing, he was happy for Fields' day. He told the rookie that he'd be the first one to score and Fields did just that. Then he advised Fields to take the ball home and give it to his son.

John Harbaugh praised Beckham for what he did well Saturday and the fans for cheering him on. It's yet another step in Beckham trying to earn a roster spot and Harbaugh was pleased with how Beckham has carried himself so far.

"What he's doing, what he's fighting for, I don't know how it's going to turn out," Harbaugh said. "It's going to turn out the way it turns out based on what happens. But to see his fight, his determination, his humility - he had his son in camp the other day. You know, he's doing it for his son. As a friend, that makes me really proud."

Beckham, too, was proud. For five seasons, he dazzled MetLife Stadium with amazing highlights. Now that he's older, he appreciated both where he's at trying to make the Giants' roster and embracing the feelings being back in familiar territory.

"Even from a warming up standpoint," Beckham said. "Going out there, seeing everybody. It's a surreal feeling."

Zvada: 'I was ready' to try 62-yard FG for the tie

With about two and a half minutes left in the game and trailing by three points, the Giants had fourth-and-13 at the Vikings’ 44. But rather than send rookie kicker Dominic Zvada out to attempt a tying 62-yard field goal, the same length of the one he drilled to end practice on Wednesday, John Harbaugh elected to punt. The Giants never got the ball back.

Zvada said he was ready, though.

“I was going to let Coach do his thing,” he told Newsday. “Coach had been treating it like a normal game. Special teams was going to be the same no matter what. I was ready and Coach did what he had to do.”

That decision meant Zvada did not officially make his NFL debut with many of the other rookies. He is in a training camp battle with Ben Sauls for the kicking job and they split this game in halves. Sauls handled the kickoffs, the extra point, and the 46-yard field goal at the first half buzzer as part of his responsibilities. But because the Giants received to start the second half and never scored, Zvada remained planted on the sideline.

“It was exhilarating, super exciting,” he said of simply being there. “Just being able to be on the field and experience the stadium for the first time was truly amazing.”

He did get to warm up, at least, and get his first chances at MetLife Stadium. He acknowledged that he is aware of the “legendary” Meadowlands winds, but obviously Saturday was not a day to face those down.

So it’s on to the next preseason game and another potential for actual game action.

“In Miami, hopefully, it’ll be a great time, a great atmosphere, a great stadium, and hopefully some good weather too,” he said.

Neither Dart nor Harbaugh had any hesitation about his return

John Harbaugh said he had no hesitation putting Jaxson Dart back in the game after he was sacked to end the first quarter in what was the Giants' 13-10 preseason loss to the Vikings.

He was also blunt about what he saw on the play where Vikings safety Jay Ward ran untouched to blast Dart into the ground.

"My feelings in that moment was we need to block better," Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh said he heard Dart tell someone that he just had the wind knocked out of him, which Dart confirmed postgame. The Giants officially said that Dart was evaluated for a concussion but he only missed two plays before returning to throw a touchdown on the very next play to Malachi Fields.

Dart seemed more eager to praise the Giants' scoring drive than revisit yet another trip into the blue medical tent. He praised the offense for being resilient and Fields for showing the skills he's displayed in training camp. But then he addressed the process behind him being checked out.

"I really respect the rules and the thought the NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things," Dart said. "But at the same time, I'm still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I just find my way in there, which at times I still try to wrap my head around. That's all that I'm going to say about that situation. I'm really happy with how the drive ended."

After he was cleared, Dart was ready to keep playing and continue his day. There was no haggling or bartering with the coaching staff before he grabbed his helmet and returned to the field.

"I never thought that I was going to be taken out," he said. "I'm going to keep playing until they tell me I'm not playing. Like, I want to be out there."

Malachi Fields: 'That's what they wanted me here for'

Malachi Fields still had the football he caught for his first NFL touchdown under his arm as he talked about the play that led to the points in the postgame locker room.

“It started off as a regular play and once I saw (Jaxson Dart) scramble and get out of the pocket it was just scramble rules,” the rookie receiver said. “Once I started breaking for the end zone I saw him looking at me and I figured he was going to give me a chance.”

Dart did just that, throwing a high pass for the 6-foot-4 target who jumped over 5-foot-10 linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.

Fields was certainly tickled to have the souvenir.

“It’s going to go at the house so we all can look at it,” he said. “So me and my family can see it and know it was the first one.”

As for the play itself, though, Fields was more matter-of-fact.

“That’s what they wanted me here for,” he said.

Mauigoa makes his mark

John Harbaugh told all the rookies that after Saturday’s preseason game they would feel like they belong. Following the 13-10 loss to the Vikings, the Giants head coach went up to first-year guard Sisi Mauigoa to ask if he was right.

Turns out simply belonging isn’t his thing.

“He hit me with a question, ‘Do you feel like you belong?’” Mauigoa said. “And it got me wondering. I do honestly feel like I belong. But at the same time I don’t want to belong, I want to dominate the league.”

Mauigoa certainly showed an inclination toward that level of play when he pushed two defenders out of the way to open things up for a Devin Singletary on a 40-yard screen play in the first quarter.

“I was trying to avoid my guy (defensive lineman Domonique Orange) and go make a play but it ended up he was a non-believer to the screen side so I stayed with him,” Mauigoa explained. “Then once I saw Motor get out there and he missed (the first tackle) I looked at my guy and I was like ‘Alright, you’re running with me now.’ And I just took him for a ride.”

Mauigoa pushed him and Jamal Adams away to let Singletary scoot across the field and pick up the extra yards for the first down.

“The whole time before the game I was anxious,” Mauigoa admitted. “But after the first snap I ran straight down and it all just snapped from there.”.

Rough go for 3rd-string QB Allen

It's been an ugly game for third-string quarterback Brandon Allen. Unless your name is Jacob.

His first pass was an interception to Vikings linebacker Jacob Roberts. In the fourth quarter, Allen had another interception, this time to safety Jacob Thomas who ran across the field to snag a pass intended for Ryan Miller.

Jameis Winston ended his day 8-for-9 for 89 yards. The Giants are pretty confident with Winston as insurance for Jaxson Dart. But Allen's showing why he's third on the depth chart.

Jamal Adams carted off the field with a leg injury

Former Jets safety Jamal Adams had to be carted off the Vikings’ sideline during the first half of the preseason game against the Giants on Saturday with what appeared to be a serious right leg injury.

The 30-year-old who had been playing a linebacker hybrid position in his first season with Minnesota suffered the non-contact injury while crossing the field in coverage on the play that resulted in Jaxson Dart’s touchdown pass to Malachi Fields.

It led to an emotional scene behind the Vikings bench as other players and coaches including head coach Kevin O’Connell came over to console Adams on the training table. Eventually he was loaded onto the cart and brought to the locker room. Adams’ frustration was clear from the way he was yelling toward the sky and thrashing a towel.

O'Connell confirmed after the game that it was a right knee injury. "Initial exam does not look good," he said, "but I don't want to confirm anything until we see the imaging on that.

"I told the team after the game that this guy has come in and just impacted our organization," O'Connell said of Adams. "He's energy every day, affecting people in a positive way. We absolutely love his play style, his competes. He was genuinely carving out a significant role for himself and he was doing that just by totally being all in on the process. There's a lot of guys in there that are crushed for him... He's earned a lot of peoples' respect in a very short amount of time."

At age 30, any serious injury to Adams could certainly be a potential career-ender.

Adams was a first-round pick by the Jets in 2017 and an All-Pro for them in 2019. One of the highlights of his tenure with the Jets came in MetLife Stadium against the Giants in 2019 when he had nine tackles, two sacks of Daniel Jones, and stripped the ball from the quarterback on one of them before returning it 25 yards for a touchdown. The Jets won that game 34-27.

He was traded to the Seahawks the following offseason and played four seasons in Seattle, the last two of which were shortened by injuries. In 2024 he played three games for the Titans and two for the Lions. Last season he played all 17 games for the Raiders with four starts. He signed with the Vikings late last month just prior to start of training camp.

Defensive takeaways from first half

A few defensive takeaways from the first half with the Giants leading 10-3:

Nothing makes Arvell Reese look taller than going against quarterback Kyler Murray. The rookie linebacker was active in his two series of play making two tackles. He got a nice ovation for his first one, too, coming up to plug a hole and stop Jordan Mason for a 1-yard run on second-and-8.

Most of the starters on defense played two series. The first lasted 10 plays and was capped by a field goal, the second was a three-and-out.

The exceptions to the playing time limits were in the secondary where Deonte Banks, Colton Hood and Tyler Nubin played every snap. That probably had more to do with the lack of depth at those positions than wanting to get them extended looks, but the extra snaps are also helpful. Banks was flagged for illegal contact penalties twice; one was declined and the other stuck. Banks clearly thought the second one was offensive pass interference. His reputation isn’t going to give him the benefit of the doubt on those calls. Hood meanwhile had three tackles.

Darius Alexander was credited with a sack late in the second quarter. Lots of excitement about what he can be in this second season.

Micah McFadden started at inside linebacker with Tremaine Edmunds one of the veterans who sat out. McFadden hadn’t played in almost a full year and it showed. He is definitely not the explosive player he was when last we saw him and he waffled a bit between looking hesitant and overly aggressive. He’ll find his footing certainly. Just being on the field was a big step for him.

One of the guys who stood out with the second group was Chauncey Golston. He came up and made a big tackle on a run by Demond Clairborne, brought Clairborne down in the backfield for a loss of 2, and had a hard quarterback hit on J.J. McCarthy to force an incompletion.

Dart goes from blue tent to end zone

Jaxson Dart's second drive went from near disaster to a great high.

Dart was sacked by Vikings defensive back Jay Ward to end the first quarter. Ward had a clean run to Dart after Tyrone Tracy got his feet stuck and took Dart down with a ferocious hit. It seemed like the end to Dart's day and it looked ominous that he got checked out in the blue medical tent.

After Jameis Winston ran two plays, including a 40-yard catch-and-run by Devin Singletary, Dart returned to the field. On the very next play, Dart scrambled to his left and found rookie Malachi Fields for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Fields leaped for the grab and showed why he's been a big target the team is high on.

All ended well but the fact that Dart came back after the sack was a relief when the sack could've been the final act of his first preseason game. The team announced that Dart was evaluated for a possible concussion but he was cleared. It harkened back to last season's concussions checks except this time, Dart wasn't being reckless. He wound up making the most of it and so did Fields catching his first preseason touchdown.

Dart played 14 snaps on two drives and finished 3-for-4 for 26 yards and a touchdown pass. He was also sacked twice. Besides his touchdown pass to Fields, Dart's other two completions went to Isaiah Likely.

Fields' first touchdown catch highlighted a strong first half by the rookie receiver: Three catches for 34 yards on three targets.

He made a diving third-down catch from Jameis Winston to keep the Giants' last drive alive. Fields also caught an 11-yard pass from Winston on the Giants' third drive.

It's a promising start for someone the Giants are high on after trading up to draft him. Fields has shown a knack for making tough catches and at his size (6-foot-4), he adds another dimension in the receiver room. So far, he's made a good case to push for playing time as John Harbaugh said he's done in training camp.

Slow start for Giants' new offense

Jaxson Dart and the Giants' starting offense took the field to open the game. Cam Skattebo started at RB, Theo Johnson at TE. Darnell Mooney and Darius Slayton started at WR. Marcus Mbow was at left tackle with Andrew Thomas joining several vets sitting out.

The offense took the field to great applause and ran six plays before punting. Skattebo took the first carry on the first play to loud cheers. Dart's first completion was to new tight end Isaiah Likely. However Dart got sacked on third down with the Vikings bringing pressure.

Overall, a so-so first impression by the new-look offense. Bryan Hudson, starting at center, snapped the ball just a bit to Dart's left which forced Dart to spin around and throw off his timing for an incomplete pass to Tyrone Tracy.

Harbaugh loses first challenge with Giants

John Harbaugh made his presence felt on the very first drive of the preseason.

After Kyler Murray completed an 8-yard pass to Jordan Addison for a first down on the fourth snap of the game Harbaugh threw his first challenge flag with the Giants.

He felt that the football had hit the ground and moved while Addison was pulling in the low throw. He was wrong. Referee Clete Blakeman determined that it was a catch and the play stood as called.

The first down helped the Vikings in their 10-play, 54-yard opening drive that resulted in a 35-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead with 9:25 remaining in the first quarter.

Odell and his son

Giants-Vikings inactives

Eight Giants aren't in uniform during warmups. WR Malik Nabers (knee), WR Juju Smith-Schuster (knee), WR Jalin Hyatt (leg), CB Paulson Adebo, CB Greg Newsome, CB Dru Phillips (knee), C John Michael Schmitz (concussion protocol), C Lucas Patrick are all out.

If Jaxson Dart and the Giants' starters play, don't expect many reps. John Harbaugh said he values first team reps but he also knows the risks to make sure his team stays healthy. 

5 Giants I'm watching in preseason opener

Heading into Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings, here are five Giants players I'll be keeping my eyes on at MetLife Stadium.

Arvell Reese

Reese gets to introduce himself to Giants fans eager to see their latest first-round pick. Reese has impressed in practice with his athleticism, smarts and play-making. Now it needs to show on the field.

There’s also intrigue with how the Giants will deploy Reese besides at inside linebacker because they could use him at pass rusher besides playing in coverage and against the run.

Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham will give fans MetLife Stadium a nostalgia high on Saturday when he takes the field. Once that fades, it’s time to see if he can make a difference on this roster.

At 33, he needs to show production, not just a team-first attitude. He may not get many reps so he has to make the most of them. No matter how good he makes people feel, how he plays is what people will remember so he must prove he’s still got gas in that tank.

Deonte Banks

If the Giants’ cornerback competition is really up for grabs, let’s see how Banks has really improved. All the positive talk in camp can’t overshadow Banks’ frustrating play the last three years.

The only way that changes is if Banks shows something different in preseason. Dennard Wilson’s new scheme is more press-heavy, which allows corners to be physical. It plays to Banks’ strengths and with Paulson Adebo day-to-day, he must prove the training camp praise translates to better production.

Dominic Zvada

Zvada’s 61-yard field goal to end practice Wednesday highlighted why he’s the favorite to win the kicking job. But the rookie needs to prove it in-game. Ben Sauls has game experience, even if it’s just the Giants’ final three games last season.

This is where the kicking competition ramps up. Will the Giants alternate PATs to give each kicker a chance. Who goes out first on field goal duty? Who makes the best impression when kicks actually count.

Zvada has a great opportunity to show why Harbaugh and the staff should put their faith in him.

Malachi Fields

This could easily go to another rookie like Francis Mauigoa starting at right guard or Colton Hood getting reps at cornerback. But we’re going with Fields because he’s looking to stand out in a crowded receiving room.

If Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III don’t play much, Fields will get a chance to show why the Giants traded up to draft him. He’s shown great hands as a big target in practice and his catch radius is wide to grab anything in his direction. A strong performance could validate his push for more playing time.

The three things that make a good offense lineman

Who wants to be an offensive lineman for the Giants? For offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren, there's three simple rules.

1. Move a man from Point A to Point B against his will.
2. Secret Service style pass protection, "my life before his"
3. Finish.

"If we can get guys doing those three things, we're going to be pretty happy," Bloomgren said Thursday.

Fortunately, the Giants have experience and continuity up front to help make that easy. They return four starters and rookie Francis Mauigoa is continuing to make great adjustments playing right guard after playing tackle at Miami.

Saturday will be Mauigoa's preseason debut. There will be challenges for any rookie facing NFL speed and Mauigoa has a tough task facing a defense led by Vikings' defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

But Bloomgren was pleased with Mauigoa's work so far and how he's handled training camp learning a new position

"His process has been really good. I'm really proud of the way he's preparing," Bloomgren said. "I'm proud of the way he's learned, and his verbal and non-verbal communication with (right tackle) Jermaine (Eluemunor) and our centers has been really good. So, really proud of what he's done so far. Excited to see him get to participate, whether it's a preseason game or the joint practice next week."

Explosive plays will be key focus on Nagy's offense

Whether or not Jaxson Dart plays in Saturday’s preseason opener, he and the Giants will get their first taste of seeing how Matt Nagy operates as offensive coordinator.

It'll be the debut of what hopes to be a new-look offense that can excite fans beyond just Dart's growth in his second season and first as a full-time starter. So how does Dart see Nagy as a play caller just from what he's learned since the spring?

“He's definitely aggressive. He's definitely wanting to create explosive plays,” Dart said.

It’s key because the Giants had so few of those plays once Dart took over. His longest completion last season was 44 yards, the second lowest of any quarterback who started at least half of their team’s games.

The Giants’ longest rush last season? 31 yards, the lowest of any team. So it’s on Nagy to not just develop Dart but make the Giants’ offense look exciting as well as efficient.

If that means take chances in preseason, so be it, as long as the Giants are pushing the ball forward into opponent territory.

“I think the big thing is, he wants to always stay ahead of the sticks,” Dart said. “He wants to be moving forward. And that's the big point of emphasis that we have. . . any negative plays, whether it may be penalties, whether it may be loss of yardage on a run or sacks, he's really big on minimizing those things.”

Dart thrilled to have Nabers back on practice field: 'He has a certain presence about him'

Jaxson Dart's only on-field work with Malik Nabers in a game was limited to three targets and two catches in Week 4 last season before Nabers suffered his season-ending ACL/meniscus injury in the second quarter.

So count Dart among the players hooting and hollering when Nabers did his first work in team drills this training camp. Dart's pass was Nabers' third completion and it was a welcome sight since that connection has barely happened once Dart took over last season as starting quarterback.

Dart has thrown to Nabers in individual drills during camp yet Thursday felt different with Nabers lined up alongside teammates instead of just running routes by himself. It's a tease that the Giants hope to see more of this month and eventually in games this season.

"It's great to have him back out there," Dart said. I've said this before, he has a certain presence about him anytime he touches the field and I think the big thing today was also you just saw how excited he was himself to be out there. . . He's running all the way down, scoring. Yeah, just can't wait for it to be full go when the time comes."

Will Dart play in first preseason game? It's anyone's guess.

John Harbaugh didn't budge on not choosing to publicly say whether his starters, mainly quarterback Jaxson Dart, would play in the Giants' preseason opener Saturday.

"I plan on not talking about who's going to play. That's what I plan on doing," Harbaugh said. "I just decided just to leave it out there. You'll see when the game comes. It'll make the speculation so much fun if you don't know exactly what's gonna happen."

After the next question, though, Harbaugh made an interesting statement on how much he values starters getting reps. Especially when they're learning a new offense and defense like these Giants.

"I value first-team reps very much. You have to measure that against the risk," he said. "So there is risk as well and that's part of it too. You have to make that decision."

The guessing game will continue until just before 1 p.m. Saturday. Harbaugh did note that receiver Jalin Hyatt wouldn't play due to injury while players like Paulson Adebo and Juju Smith-Schuster, who did not practice in team drills Thursday, would be a game-time decision.

Last year, Dart played mostly the first halves of preseason games as a rookie. But of course, that was due to Russell Wilson not playing much as the starter. Now that he's established, Dart's reps will be more protected while making sure he gets chances to run a new offense against different competition.

Harbaugh addressed that possibility later which suggested that Dart and the starters will play at some point, whether it's Saturday or the remaining two preseason games. Another factor in how much they'll play is the Giants' tough opening schedule at home against Cowboys and at the Rams in their first two games.

"You've got a young quarterback who's just in his second year. Who didn't play a whole season even last year, so he's just getting started," Harbaugh said. "We're going to be playing two of the best teams in our conference right out of the gates, and so we'd like to be ready for that. So that's part of the consideration."

A sight to behold: Nabers participates in team drills

Guess who was back wearing a red non-contact jersey on Thursday? Malik Nabers.

Nabers wore the jersey during individual drills and it hinted at something more than business as usual. It came later when Nabers took his first reps in team drills since training camp began.

Nabers took four non-consecutive snaps during the period and made four catches, including one from Jaxson Dart. He also caught passes from Jameis Winston and third-team quarterback Brandon Allen. With John Harbaugh calling it a "no-physicality" practice, there was no risk for Nabers to take contact like in West Virginia when he accidentally got bumped by safety Tyler Nubin in practice.

Players were thrilled seeing Nabers back on the field. Cam Skattebo frequently yelled "Yeah One!", a nod to Nabers' number, and ran out to greet Nabers after his second catch.

"Everybody was happy that he was out there because it's a big step," Harbaugh said. "It's a big step to get into team drills. You know, so for him to do that it was a milestone, I would say, for our team."

Harbaugh said Wednesday that Nabers would possibly be ramped up to do more team drills next week. But Thursday was just enough of a cameo for Nabers to shake off some rust, line up against defenders and make cuts to get open. And the Giants certainly loved it with players hooting and hollering

After Nabers' third catch, his only completion from Dart, Darius Slayton ran on the field and provided an escort for Nabers to run in the end zone. It felt like old times even if it was just a four-play cameo that could be the start of Nabers doing more things next week with his recovery.

"It was definitely more than West Virginia, you know what I mean," Giants receiver coach Chad Hall said. "This was hearing a play called, getting lined up, he doesn't know what's going on, reacting... This was a lot more intense than that. He just seemed comfortable. It was great."

During individual drills, Nabers was working on his release with Hall. The two got their signals crossed in which direction they were going and Nabers clobbered Hall in the face with his helmet.

“I looked at him and I was like ‘I’m OK, right?’” Hall said of his initial reaction to the blow. “He was like ‘No, man. You’re going to need stitches.’ ”

So, right there on the practice field the medical staff sewed him up. Hall finished the workout with some blood on his face and sleeve and a swollen lip.

“I just laid down, closed my eyes, they stitched it up, and I was back,” Hall said.

It certainly impressed Harbaugh.

“Chad Hall took stitches on the field,” Harbaugh declared. “Tough dude.”

Newsday's Tom Rock contributed to this post

Harbaugh speaks on why Giants brought in troubled Arnold

After practice Wednesday, John Harbaugh addressed why the Giants hosted free-agent cornerback Terrion Arnold for a visit earlier in the day.

Arnold started his first two seasons with the Lions but was released in June after he was charged with eight felony counts in connection with allegedly coordinating a kidnapping plot in February, according to a release from the Florida state attorney's office. If convicted, Arnold is facing a life sentence. A trial date has not been set.
"We want to be aggressive in every way. Whatever we can do," Harbaugh said. "Find everything out we can about any situation, player that can help us be better. Probably, I would say that's it. The margins are tight in the National Football [League]. You try to win a game. You come up with a good play. You can find a play on the internet that somebody puts out there that one of your opponents is running in practice. Man, you look for those too. So we're looking for players that can help us all the time, and he's a player that can help us.

Arnold has visited several teams, including the Seahawks earlier this week.

Harbaugh said the Giants looked at Arnold's situation in depth, without explaining what their findings uncovered. He said the situation is "more than just what you read in the papers" and left the door open that Arnold could be signed.

"The legal process could take years, so then his career is gone," Harbaugh said. "I think you have to decide where does the legal process stand and what are we really talking about here. What does it look like? And you got make a judgment along those lines.”

There’s also a chance that Arnold could be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List if a team signs him. Harbaugh said the Giants would weigh all options if they pursued any future action with Arnold.

"You try to do the best you can to anticipate what that might be, and see if it's worth it,” Harbaugh said. “There’s risk/reward. There's things to be gained and things to be lost, and you just kind of got to balance it out and try to make a decision that's twofold. One aspect is what's best for your football team. The other aspect is what's best for your organization and your people and doing the right thing.”

Updates on Nabers, Adebo and more

Malik Nabers continued to work in individual drills Wednesday but those plans could change soon, John Harbaugh said.

"We're looking towards soon ramping him into some group periods, perhaps some team periods maybe next week, we'll see," Harbaugh said.

Nabers did less work Wednesday than usual but Harbaugh said he's exactly where he's been on his plan without any setbacks. He looked good Tuesday when he ran routes and made a difficult catch in the end zone during individual drills. Nabers would likely be eased back into 7-on-7 drills before full team drills.

Cornerback Paulson Adebo is "day-to-day" after being nicked up at practice. He wasn't seen at practice Tuesday but worked off to the side with training staff Wednesday. Receiver Jalin Hyatt, who was hurt on the last play of Monday's practice when a teammate fell on him, should be back "in a reasonable period of time", Harbaugh said.

CB Dru Phillips (knee) and Greg Newsome (knee) didn't participate in team drills and continued to work on the side. Receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (knee) and Lucas Patrick (knee) were also working with trainers. Center John Michael Schmitz remains in concussion protocol. Right guard Francis Mauigoa was a full participant after being held out of team drills Tuesday.

Walk-off field goal: Zvada nails 61-yarder to end practice

Giants practice ended with a bang Wednesday when undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada drilled a 61-yarder on the final play of the day.

“I thought he was going to make it,” coach John Harbaugh said. “…It was a great kick and a great snap. It was exciting.”

The Giants brought in the strong-legged kicker from Michigan to compete with Ben Sauls, one of five different kickers for the Giants last year. The Giants haven’t had a kicker start all 17 games since Graham Gano in 2022. Incidentally, that was the last time the team also had a winning season.

Saturday’s preseason opener against Minnesota gives both players their first chance to kick under game pressure this summer. And from the sounds of things, Harbaugh isn’t leaning one way or another.

Beckham will play in preseason opener at MetLife Stadium

John Harbaugh still hasn't made a public decision on whether or not he'll play quarterback Jaxson Dart in Saturday's preseason opener.

He said recently that because the Giants are young, he'd like them to play and get experience.

But does that include his second-year quarterback? Harbaugh wouldn't say.

"That's a good question I'm going to have to dodge, have to bob and weave. I'll let you know later," Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh did say one notable veteran would play Saturday — Odell Beckham Jr. He was pleased with how Beckham has looked in practice and getting stronger every day so Beckham will get his chance to show what he can do back at MetLife Stadium.

It was something that had quarterback Jameis Winston excited thinking about it. As one of the few current Giants who played against Beckham when he was at his Giants peak, he's already imagining how the crowd will react to his preseason return in Giants gear.

"I can't wait to hear the fans yell when he runs out there and catches a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings," Winston said Wednesday. "I think that's going to be one of the loudest roars."

Pinnock engaged to be married in February . . . after the Super Bowl

Justin Pinnock got engaged to his partner Cameran Gordon in late March, just a few weeks after he reunited with the Giants as a free-agent safety. They plan to get married in February of 2027.

Late February, he was sure to point out. Just in case.

“I’m at the end,” he said of the nuptials scheduled for the 27th. “Gotta make room.”

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Room for a potential Super Bowl run, of course. This year’s big game will be played on Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day – and Pinnock wanted to make sure his other romantic pursuit is clear from the possibility of his playing that month… not to mention any possible parades and other celebrations that might follow.

Pinnock was with the Giants from 2022-24 and started 37 games during that span before signing with the 49ers last season.

“I couldn’t control that too much,” he said, making it seem as if the Giants did not make him an offer. They did this offseason, though, and he returned to the Giants on a one-year deal in March, though.

“It feels good,” he said of being back. “I’m home.”

Darius Alexander wants to go beyond the exciting play in practice

The secret sauce to Giants’ defensive lineman Darius Alexander’s athleticism? Yoga and pilates.

He’s practiced both for four years. Alexander’s strength coach at Toledo introduced him to yoga by bringing an instructor to practice. When Alexander found out she also taught pilates, he joined that class, too.

“Me being a big guy, just being able to move, be able to bend, it helps me be able to tap into my traits that I have as an athlete,” Alexander told Newsday. “The abilities that I can use out there on the field for certain play calls or certain things that coaches want to see me do, being lined up at different positions, being able to excel there."

Now the second-year defensive tackle is attracting attention in Giants camp for his improvement and his agility. He intercepted Jaxson Dart on Monday and returned it for a touchdown.

It was his second highlight interception in camp after he made a leaping grab on a Dart pass to end the Giants’ third practice. Plays like that are why Alexander has gotten first-team reps and wasn’t buried after the Giants added several defensive tackles this offseason.

“Big boy got hands,” linebacker Brian Burns said of Alexander. “DA is also a very versatile weapon that we have. Him just being able to drop into space and make those type of plays, it just shows his athleticism and really his IQ.”

Alexander also knows he has big shoes to fill. Dexter Lawrence’s trade to the Bengals meant the Giants will replace his impact by committee. Alexander declined to say what he thought when the trade happened but the two were close since he trained with Lawrence after he was drafted last year.

Lawrence was always in his ear telling him he could be a special player who could do really great things. Alexander said he’s leaned on that advice while carving out a role with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s unit.

“The number one thing he said to me was there’s nothing wrong with being special so don’t run away from the light,” Alexander said. “Don’t run away from the work, don’t run away from nothing. Stand there, stand your ground and go to work.”

That’s why Alexander embraced the competition. Veterans D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris led a group of at least eight new defensive tackles the Giants signed this offseason.

Alexander, Reader and Harris likely will be first up front to help improve the Giants’ run defense. Alexander has often asked both veterans questions since they’ve spent at least 10 years in the league.

“Those guys motivate me to go hard,” Alexander said. “Those guys are in their 30s, still in the league playing. Most guys don’t get to play at this level at that age, especially D-linemen.”

Wilson said Tuesday he challenged Alexander to not just make the flashy plays but excel stopping the run consistently. He wants Alexander to be a tough guy all the time.

It fits in line with Alexander’s goals too. He takes pride in his athleticism and footwork while calling himself one of the most nimble players at any position in the league. But his expectation is to be more than that.

Just like he’s used yoga and pilates to be flexible and help his versatility on the field, he’s stretching his dreams to do more than just make dynamic plays once in a while.

“Be the best and most dominant D-tackle in the NFL,” Alexander said. “I think I can accomplish that.”

Thoughts on Giants' depth chart ahead of preseason opener

Giants released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of Saturday's preseason opener hosting the Vikings. Here's some quick thoughts.

• No surprise that rookies Francis Mauigoa and Arvell Reese are listed at starters at right guard and linebacker. Both have gotten consistent first-team reps since the spring.
• Isaiah Likely is listed at starting tight end ahead of Theo Johnson. That's expected given that Likely has become one of Dart’s favorite targets since the spring. Johnson will be a factor in two tight end sets, but Likely has better hands given Johnson’s issues with drops.
• Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy are both listed at starting running back. That’s been expected since both have gotten first -eam reps in training camp. Skattebo, however, has gotten most of the reps so we will see how that gets divvied up in preseason.
• Deonte Banks is listed at starting kickoff returner while Braxton Berrios is at punt returner. Banks did kickoff duty last season after losing his starting cornerback job so that makes sense. Speaking of the cornerbacks....
• Paulson Adebo and Greg Newsome are listed at starting cornerbacks. This is very much up for grabs since Banks has gotten first-team reps and so has rookie Colton Hood. Hood is listed as the third-team cornerback but he’s not that far back in the rotation. Newsome and Dru Phillips are both nursing injuries so their status for Saturday is in question.
• Tyler Nubin is listed at starting safety with Jevon Holland. Don't be surprised if Jason Pinnock or Ar'Darius Washington push for that since Nubin has been sharing first-team reps with them in practice lately.
• The only two starting receivers are Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton. Rookie Malachi Fields is listed as third-team receiver and that’s a clear ruse because Jalin Hyatt is listed among the second team receivers with Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III. Fields has gotten more first and second team reps than Hyatt.
• Odell Beckham Jr. is listed among the third team receivers and Juju Smith-Schuster is listed among the fourth team. Beckham's roster spot is far from guaranteed so he'll be fighting through preseason even though he's made it through camp without any lingering injury issues. Smith-Schuster has a tougher climb and it doesn't help he's battling a lingering knee issue that kept him out of practice the last two days.
• No shock that Ben Sauls and Dominic Zvada are both listed at starting kicker. That battle will continue through the preseason so both will get their shots in-game to prove themselves. Zvada still remains the favorite.

Source: Giants to host Terrion Arnold, who is facing eight felony charges

The Giants will host cornerback Terrion Arnold for a visit on Wednesday, a league source confirmed to Newsday.

Arnold was released by the Lions in June after he was arrested and charged with coordinating a kidnapping plot in February according to a release from the Florida state attorney's office. He faces eight felony charges of kidnapping and robbery. A trial date has not been set.

Arnold denied the allegations through his representation in a statement released to The Athletic in June. He was a first-round draft pick in 2024 and played eight games with seven starts for the Lions last year.

The Giants are in need of help in the secondary. The team practiced Tuesday without cornerbacks Greg Newsome (knee) and Paulson Adebo, who was absent for unknown reasons.

According to the release, Arnold is accused of coordinating the kidnapping of three men who he believed stole more than $200,000 of his personal items. The charges carry a potential life sentence if he is convicted.

Arnold visited the Seahawks on Monday, and NFL Network reported that he has also visited with the Saints and Texans.

Kickin' it with Zvada and Sauls

The Giants' kicking competition has pitted two young kickers against each other. Undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada and Ben Sauls in his second season.

Zvada has been more efficient so far but both have looked good at times. Coach John Harbaugh hasn't added a veteran kicker into the room so it's putting a lot of trust in two unproven players to decide who's won the job. Sauls was 8-for-8 on field goals in the Giants' final three games.

Special teams coordinator Chris Horton said its easy to trust Zvada and Sauls because of how they prepare each day despite their lack of experience.

"It's what they do when they're out there," Horton said Tuesday. "You build trust through your work. You build trust through your preparation and the preparation that both these guys are bringing every day? We're trusting them. But we're gonna have to trust them in the big moments and we try to put them in those situations."

There's nothing wrong with a bit of competition

The Giants' secondary has held some of the more intriguing position battles during training camp. Consider the rotations Tuesday.

With Paulson Adebo absent and Greg Newsome out with injury, Deonte Banks and Colton Hood took most of the first-team reps. Even when Adebo was present, Banks has rotated first-team reps with him as well as Newsome.

The competition even carried over to safety. Ar'Darius Washington took most of the first-team safety reps next to Jevon Holland with Tyler Nubin mostly on second team. It's shown that for returning starters like Nubin and Adebo, nothing is guaranteed with new coordinator Dennard Wilson.

And that's the way he wants it.

"If you're comfortable when you have competition, you're going to sink," Wilson said. "But when you have competition and you play hard and you're resilient, you're normally going to come out on the winning side of it. A lot of these guys are embracing competition. We talk about it in the room, never compromise for competition."

Coach John Harbaugh said he likes the competition at cornerback. It reminds, though, that the Giants' defense had multiple issues besides the run. Adebo was signed last year to be the Giants' top cornerback but it's telling that he's losing reps to Banks, who lost his starting job last season.

Banks still needs to show he can be productive in-game. The Giants' plan to be a more physical defense with press coverage, something that suits Banks' strengths. But Wilson's comments suggest that the secondary still needs to figure out who'll be next to Holland and which cornerbacks will start.

"To me, it makes everybody better," Harbaugh said about the battles. "But then when the games come, I'm looking forward to seeing how guys look against another team and get a better feel for where you're at."

Dart becoming more and more familiar with Nagy's offense

Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's offense has been called "elegant simplicity" by running back Tyrone Tracy. But that doesn't make it easy to learn.

The Giants threw a lot on Jaxson Dart's shoulders to immerse himself in the offense and there were growing pains during both OTAs and practice in West Virginia. Nagy explained how he tried to teach things in the spring in "buckets and phases," more than remember certain plays.

"We called it musical chairs, not positions," Nagy said. "So everybody had to know the concept. We weren't running plays. We spent some time for them to understand, hey, if I'm in this spot or that spot, what do I do? That's how you understand the basis of an offense."

It helps also to face a defense that Nagy called "crazy" because defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson finds different ways to challenge the offense. Whether it's difficult looks, exotic coverages or different types of pressure, it's added more wrinkles to getting the offense to run smoothly.

For Nagy, one of those positives is Dart being able to relay plays in the huddle, read the defense and play fast. It sounds simple but it's progress for a quarterback trying to learn his second offensive system in as many seasons.

"He's calling every play. He's seeing it when he says it," Nagy said. "He's not just listening and memorizing it. When you can get to that point and you start seeing guys talk like this in the huddle, they're speaking to the person. He's there, so he's aced that part. Now we got to get it to the part of seeing the defense and taking it to the next level because the kid is super talented."

Darius Alexander looking to make big leap on 'D' in Year 2

Darius Alexander's pick-6 was one of the highlights of Monday's practice. It's symbolized how Alexander knows he has to make plays going into his second year.

New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was impressed but also got colorful when he explained the standard he has for Alexander.

"We want him to be a tough guy, all the time," Wilson said. "And that should be on his mind first cause if he does that, he can grow into a really good player."

Alexander's greatest value isn't just rushing the passer or making interceptions. It's being a reason the Giants' run defense is significantly better than last year.

Alexander's made a name in training camp for getting in the backfield and now having two highlight worthy interceptions. Wilson, however, wants him to be meaner where he counts and that's in the trenches.

"He's growing," Wilson said. "The big thing with him is being able to play the run and playing it consistently."

Injury update: Abdul Carter back

Abdul Carter was back at Giants practice on Tuesday after missing Monday with a hand/finger issue. Carter was a full participant.

Dru Phillips and Greg Newsome both missed practice dealing with injuries. Cornerback Paulson Adebo was absent for an unknown reason, so rookie Colton Hood and Deonte Banks took the bulk of first-team reps.

Jalin Hyatt also was absent after he went down on the last play of Monday’s practice. Rookie OL Francis Mauigoa and DL Chauncey Golston (head injury) were present but held out of team drills after being injured Monday.

WR Juju Smith-Schuster (knee) was also not present. Center John Michael Schmitz remains in concussion protocol, and Malik Nabers continued his usual work of individual drills and being held out of team drills.

Survey: Giants fans rank 10th in rage-baiting

How much do Giants fans love prodding rival fans online? According to one survey, they're pretty good at it.

Based on the Rage Bait Index, a Casino.org survey done by polling 4,000 fans across the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, Giants' fans are the 10th most passionate NFL fan base in terms of goading rival fans, talking trash or posting online to get a reaction.

The top two teams? The Raiders and Cowboys, which isn't a shock given how loud and boisterous their fanbases are. Perhaps less surprising is the Giants ranked last among NFC East teams. The Commanders ranked fifth and the Eagles were eighth.

It's less surprising given Eagles fans are often obnoxious. But it makes sense the NFC East has four teams in the Top 10 given how great the rivalries have been for decades.

Still, maybe it's one more thing Giants fans can hope changes this offseason. More passion online for a team that expects to improve.

5 observations from Monday's practice

Besides Darius Alexander's interception, Paulson Adebo had one off Jameis Winston.

Malik Nabers kept doing individual drills. There was no change in his routine as he watched team drills or did some work with trainers off to the side.

With Greg Newsome out, Deonte Banks continued to get more first-team reps. At one point in team drills, he and Colton Hood were the first-team cornerbacks.

Fullback Patrick Ricard had a great block on Arvell Reese early in team drills to free up Cam Skattebo for a few years. What a menace Ricard will be blocking for the Giants running backs.

Jaxson Dart's last throw of the day was a great connection with Darius Slayton. Slayton made a move to get free down the sidelines and Dart launched a deep pass right into his hands.

Carter among those out of Monday's practice

Several Giants were absent or left Monday's practice early

Abdul Carter (hand/finger), Juju Smith-Schuster (knee), Dru Phillips (knee sprain), Greg Newsome all sat out. Center John Michael Schmitz was officially placed in concussion protocol, John Harbaugh said, and backup center Lucas Patrick is also nursing a knee injury.

Harbaugh said Newsome would be fine and that Carter could possibly practice on Tuesday. Smith-Schuster and Patrick have dealt with lingering knee issues so the Giants are managing them. Patrick is expected to get a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection to see if it helps.

DL Chauncey Golston walked to the locker room after banging his head on the field and will be evaluated further.

Harbaugh: 'Where do we go this week?'

It's not surprising or newsworthy that a coach believes highly in his team. But John Harbaugh continued to praise the Giants as they prepare for their first preseason game on Saturday.

He also explained what he wants the Giants to hone in on after two weeks in West Virginia.

"We have a chance to be a good football team. We're doing a lot of good things right now," Harbaugh said. "Where do we go this week? We told the guys the focus this week is all the execution things for sure but the focus this week is technique.

"From now until Saturday, our individual focus is on your technique. All the little things to make you successful."

Harbaugh's attention to detail is something players have raved about so far in camp. Now the Giants will enjoy another new experience in seeing how Harbaugh handles them for game week prep.

Mooney on Dart: 'He's calming down and he can just play quarterback'

The biggest difference in Jaxson Dart from the start of training camp to now hasn’t been in his aptitude but his attitude, at least according to wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

“At first I would say he was pretty pissed off with a couple things at the beginning,” Mooney said of Dart’s disposition when the team first took the field in West Virginia roughly two weeks ago. “A lot of guys are trying to figure out everything, we are trying to learn the playbook. Now that guys know the playbook things are running a little bit more smoothly. He’s not having to help everyone out. We can help him.”

That has allowed Dart to put the focus back on his job rather than everyone else’s, and it’s made him a happier training camper for it.

“He’s calming down and he can just play quarterback,” Mooney said.

Under construction

The Giants returned home to a facility under construction. Players entered from the east side of the field instead of the center as usual.

It's because their locker rooms and weight room for now are situated in makeshift tents. It's a part of renovations that are underway through 2028 and include an upgraded locker room, weight room, recovery and wellness areas.

"It's not the Taj Mahal over there and we have to make it better. It's as good as we could do right now but you kind of learn real quick what you need," John Harbaugh said.

It's not what some expected after the Giants' positive experience in West Virginia, but Harbaugh saw it as a positive. He credited the Giants ownership for making the changes when they saw things needed to be done. He complemented them for fixing the fields from the spring after Harbaugh raised an issue.

The players might be adjusting but It didn't change their approach going through a tough 2 1/2-hour practice where temperatures reached the high 80s when it ended.

"It's just conditions. Ain't really got nothing to do with what's going on between these lines," linebacker Brian Burns said.

Harbaugh even saw the changes as a benefit with how he wants his team to be more physical this season.

"It's gritty. So maybe it's just what we needed," Harbaugh said. "You know, maybe God said 'I need you to be a little grittier as a football', so we're going to put you in this park over here."

Spider-Man. Spider-Man.

The Giants’ Spider-Man said he enjoyed the latest Spider-Man movie subtitled “Brand New Day” which, despite the duties of training camp, he has already seen twice.

“I liked it,” said linebacker Brian Burns who has been called “Spider-Man” or “Spida” since college when he celebrated a sack with a crouching pose that mimicked the superhero. “It was very good. There were a couple of things I think I would have done different but I really enjoyed it.”

Burns said this latest film is “trending toward the top” in the rankings of the four Tom Holland-starring flicks. “I would say the last one (“No Way Home”) might have an edge on it because of the other Spider-Men who were in it and some of the villains,” Burns said. “But it’s trending toward the top. Maybe two.”

'Maniac' Brian Burns tones it down a tad

Teammates called Brian Burns “a maniac” at times in training camp last year as the linebacker spent the summer sprinting through practices at full speed. It led to the most productive season of his career. This year, though, Burns is relenting just a bit when it comes to going all out on every rep through the whistle.

“I still have the same mentality,” he said on Monday. “I would say I learned my lesson from doing that so I do tone it down a bit, but it has the same intent and the same mentality as far as getting after the ball and chasing the ball.”

The lesson, he said, came from last year’s collision with receiver Wan’Dale Robinson after chasing down tight end Greg Dulcich. Burns and Robinson were both shaken up by the violence of the hit and Robinson wound up losing a tooth from the experience.

“When you see a lot of people, slow down a little bit,” Burns said of his mentality on Monday, “otherwise you might knock another tooth out.”

Pick-6 for Alexander!

Darius Alexander keeps having a great Giants camp so far.

The second-year defensive lineman had an interception Monday and returned it for a touchdown. Ar’Darius Washington helped by tipping Jaxson Dart’s pass, then Alexander caught it easily before running to the end zone.

Washington had an interception to end a practice in West Virginia that drew praise from John Harbaugh afterwards. Given the Giants loaded up on defensive tackles this offseason, Alexander has impressed as a returner making a play for first-team reps.

Jaxson Dart slides on a scramble. Repeat. Jaxson Dart slides on a scramble.

The defense rarely cheers for something the offense does in a training camp practice, but on Monday the Giants made an exception.

Jaxson Dart scrambled to his right in an 11-on-11 drill and took off toward the sideline. Rather than lower his shoulder or tip-toe along the white to achieve more yardage, as he has mostly done in the past, the second-year quarterback ended the run with a baseball slide.

The defense, standing right in front of the slide, cheered for the decision.

“We've been begging him to do that for a while,” Brian Burns said.

“I clapped too, I applauded,” John Harbaugh said. He was also impressed that Dart stayed inbounds to keep the clock running as part of the situational part of the rep.

Impressing upon Dart the wisdom of such decisions has been a focus of this entire offseason.

Dart had his foot stepped on a little earlier in practice and was limping gingerly at the time but he did not miss any reps and seemed fine after a few minutes. The sprint before the slide seemed to be at full speed and a few plays later Dart rolled left, stumbled, righted himself, and delivered a pass to Calvin Austin II.

Everyone on the team has an interest in keeping Dart healthy and sliding rather than exposing himself to unnecessary hits - even in a practice when he is not supposed to be touched anyway. That was definitely appreciated by the offense and defense alike.

Giants transactions: Woods in, Roberts out

Giants resume practice Monday in New Jersey at 1:30 p.m. It's also game-week prep with the team gearing up for their preseason opener hosting the Vikings on Saturday.

Some quick housekeeping news. The team announced they released defensive tackle Sam Roberts on Monday. Roberts had yet to participate in training camp due to a lingering injury. The release opened up a spot for defensive back JT Woods, whose signing was also made official.

Woods was a former third-round draft pick in 2022 with the Chargers. He signed with the Jets last season on their practice squad and hasn't appeared in a game since 2023

The Giants signed three defensive backs over the last week, including D.J. James and David Long. Dru Phillips suffered a mild knee sprain last week so this could be insurance in case he misses a practice or two.

Arvell Reese's tackling fits in with Giants wanting a more violent defense

Arvell Reese said he wants to be seen and not heard as a rookie. Based on his tackling last week, the linebacker is getting heard loud and clear.

Reese delivered some hits in West Virginia that created loud pops and drew extra attention. It showed how quick he can be to the ball and how the Giants need more sure tackling at inside linebacker.

It also emphasizes what defensive coordinator Dennard wants: a violent defense. Reese is showing he can embody that as well as linebackers Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. His pairing with inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been one of the best hopes for an improved, more physical defense.

“Every day I come out here, there's always something I'm looking to get better at,” Reese said. “As you watch the film, there's always something to pick up on to get better at and correct the next day. So, yeah, that's a day-in, day-out thing. Every day I'm looking to get one percent better at something.”

No major injuries, for now

The Giants avoided major injuries in West Virginia, which is always a win once the pads come on.

Cornerback Dru Phillips sprained his knee and will be monitored. The one big concern is center John Michael Schmitz still being evaluated after a head injury Thursday. The Giants signing Brenden Jaimes on Saturday offered some insurance in case Schmitz enters concussion protocol. Bryan Hudson filled in Saturday with the first team at center. Schmitz’s progress is worth watching this week.

Surprise! Deonte Banks is making things interesting at CB

Is Deonte Banks truly making progress in the cornerback rotation?

Banks took more first-team reps the last few practices and it appears the new staff is pleased with what they see.

Banks was expected to fall farther down the depth chart after the team signed Greg Newsome. His biggest issues have been lack of eye discipline and poor tracking of balls in the air.

On Saturday, Banks had an interception in practice and broke up a pass intended for tight end Isaiah Likely.

There’s still a lot for Banks to prove before he can be trusted again as a starting cornerback. He’ll need to show in the preseason what he’s done in practice. But it seems for now that a new staff is getting more out of him.

Time will tell if that can be sustained.

Zvada vs. Sauls: The kicking competition is heating up

Dominic Zvada continues to feel like the leader to win the kicking job. On Wednesday he was 10-for-10 in field goals. He and Ben Sauls both went 6-for-7 on field goals on Friday.

John Harbaugh has trusted his two kickers to battle it out since the team hasn’t signed a veteran in that room.

Zvada has been more consistent through two weeks of camp.

It won’t be surprising if both of them get chances to get in Saturday’s preseason opener with the Vikings. But Zvada remains the favorite right now even if Harbaugh didn’t want to tip his hand.

“They've done well. They've made a good number of kicks,” Harbaugh said. "I feel good about it."

Malik Nabers' improving recovery remains positive

Malik Nabers is trending closer to a Week 1 return than previously thought.

He continued to do individual drills in all six practices this week, and on Thursday he did some team drills with practice being at about half speed following three consecutive days practicing in pads. Harbaugh said Nabers will be “working his way back into practice more and more” entering this week. If that means easing his way into more team drills at full speed, it’s another positive step in his return.

Nabers is running routes, jumping on catches and doing more things to test his right knee following surgery. The fact he hasn’t missed a practice since Day Three is the best sign that he’s on a good track for Sept. 13 when the team opens the season against the Cowboys.

It’s unlikely Nabers plays in Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings. But the first two weeks have seen Nabers make positive strides and that’s more important than being game ready right now.

So long, farewell, Greenbrier

After two weeks, the Giants wrapped up practicing at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. One of the goals was to start training camp by building camaraderie in a new setting and they achieved it by the time they left Saturday afternoon.

“I would give it an A-plus for that. It's been really everything,” Coach John Harbaugh told reporters. “We've been able to focus on the task at hand. There's really no distractions out here. It's a beautiful setting. It's a beautiful resort. Everything has been excellent and the guys have been able to lock in on the football.”

Practice shifts back to Giants’ facility in New Jersey on Monday, with their first preseason game coming Saturday at home against the Vikings.

Harbaugh to Hood: Be safe out there

John Harbaugh called rookie cornerback Colton Hood a pitbull when he was drafted in April. Hood has shown that aggressive nature in training camp but Harbaugh has had to reign him in a bit. 

Hood broke up a pass on Friday intended for tight end Isaiah Likely. The contact sent Likely to the ground and Harbaugh admonished Hood that even though players can hit with pads, the goal is to not risk injury.

"It was more so just staying off the ground," Hood told reporters. "I'm competitive. Likely is a competitor. Our lockers are next to each other. Us competing out there, he was mostly telling me Likely is going to be a big part of the team this season. So, I can keep competing, just stay off the ground."

Hood's physical attitude is why Harbaugh thought in April he'd push the veterans in the room for a starting job. Hood isn't focusing on the depth chart yet but he has to learn to get better. Two things he's done is try to be better recognizing formations and having a better understanding of the playbook.

He's also peppering veteran receivers with questions. In the spring during OTAs, Odell Beckham Jr. used his savvy to blow by Hood on a route early. Since Beckham's locker is next to Hood, the rookie has often asked Beckham for pointers to improve just as much as Likely or anyone. 

It's left Hood in awe since he recalled being 12 years old watching Beckham's famous, one-handed Sunday Night Football touchdown catch. Now that he's a teammate, he's appreciating Beckham being another voice to help refine his skills.

"All those guys are definitely helping me grow as a player," Hood said. "Teaching me different savviness and different things that I'm doing that they're trying to exploit, or they're seeing that I can be better at. They've definitely been a big help in my development, and I'm enjoying getting to know those guys and being out here."

Newsome gets scare; cornerback battle heating up at camp

Cornerback Greg Newsome appeared to avoid a serious injury during practice on Saturday. At one point, he took a wrong step and fell down with what appeared to be a non-contact injury. However, John Harbaugh said it didn't look serious. That's a relief, since the cornerback position has become a surprising battle. 

Newsome and Paulson Adebo took most of the first-team reps during the first week of camp. But in the second week, Deonte Banks has taken more first-team reps. It's a surprise given Banks' struggles but also a reminder that Harbaugh is evaluating all of the Giants' returning players with fresh eyes to give them a chance to impress. 

It adds more intrigue to when the team resumes practice on Monday back in New Jersey.

Rookie linebacker Reese a happy camper

The Giants leave West Virginia Saturday after their 10th practice in 11 days. Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese enjoyed his first taste of an NFL training camp. 

Reese said that John Harbaugh's practices and the lengthy live periods of team drills remind him of the intense ones he had at Ohio State.

With one caveat.

"I think everything's a little bit faster here," Reese said Friday. "[Harbaugh] does a good job of running camp though, so, I think he does a good job. Everything's kind of the same. Camp is camp. Camp is football." 

Reese has earned strong reviews for not just effort but his production. Whether it's his nose for the ball or his athleticism, he's been an early standout through the first two weeks.

Maybe the best thing is how quickly Reese has picked things up. Harbaugh has noted several times that Reese doesn't miss many assignments and the rookie explained why that matters to him.

"That's my job to do that. I get to do that, you feel me? So, it's very important," he said. "I take a lot of pride in that, in knowing my stuff and making sure I'm doing everything right. Mistakes happen but try to just limit those mistakes and not make the same mistake twice."

For fellow linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Reese's preparation has made him not just a great pupil but a great partner in the middle of the field. It was evident in the offseason how much Reese asked questions and put in work and Edmunds has been pleased how it's showing up. 

"I think the most impressive thing is that he wants to learn," Edmunds said. "I like to talk about off the field because he's somebody that wants to learn, somebody that wants to get better. Anybody comes up, say something to him, ‘I got you.’ And he knows ball. So, at the end of the day the ceiling is high for him."

Nabers impressing his new coach: 'He knows what everybody's doing'

Malik Nabers continued to do individual drills on Friday at practice. Aside from Thursday, it's the only thing he's done so far.

That could be changing when the Giants get back to New Jersey and resume practice on Monday. John Harbaugh gave an update that Nabers is trending to be able to do more team work, although Harbaugh didn't say when yet.

"He'll be working his way back into practice more and more, just as we go here," Harbaugh said. "We'll see. We'll see what he's ready to do each day."

It was encouraging to see Nabers catch passes, run routes and test his leg during the first week of practice in West Virginia. The Giants have been patient with his ramp-up knowing that the goal is to be ready by the season opener against the Cowboys on Sept. 13.

But Harbaugh is also learning how Nabers processes the game. The two stood by each other Friday during team drills and the coach was impressed by what his star receiver was seeing and thinking.

"He's taking me through the routes. We get the play called, he'd be taking me through what everybody's doing," Harbaugh said. "Malik's got a great mind for ball, and he knows on every single play, he knows what everybody's doing. That's kind of, I think, his way of getting his mental reps back there. So, that was the beneficiary of that. It was fun."

Dart, offense get last the laugh

The Giants ended practice on a high note with the first-team offense going on a 14-play scoring drive. Initially, it was supposed to be just 13 plays.

After some discussion, John Harbaugh allowed the offense to run one more play. The offense then scored with Jaxson Dart throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Darius Slayton.

"They lobbied. I wanted it to be done," Harbaugh said. "That was supposed to be the last play before that, and they wanted the last play, so I cracked and gave them that last play."

It proved a fitting end to perhaps the most strenuous practice so far. The Giants will practice Saturday and leave West Virginia right after to return home.

Multiple bumps and bruises during Friday's practice

Friday’s Giants' practice was a tough, grueling one that lasted well over two hours. It also took a toll with a few players exiting early due to injuries.

Running back Cam Skattebo was hurt on a collision with linebacker Arvell Reese. Linebacker Brian Burns also aggravated an ongoing ankle injury. John Harbaugh told reporters neither was serious.

Center John Michael Schmitz, however, “got his bell rung”, Harbaugh said, and will likely be evaluated for a concussion. Backup center Lucas Patrick has been nursing a knee injury but filled in for Schmitz during practice.

As a result, the Giants will sign center Brenden Jaimes, a league source confirmed to Newsday. Jaimes worked out for the team on Wednesday and is a five-year veteran with stints on the Chargers and Patriots.

To open a spot for Jaimes, the team announced on Friday that they waived defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse with an injury designation. Bernard-Converse had been held out of practice Thursday due to a knee injury.

Earned not given under new Giants coaching staff

Like most coaches, John Harbaugh believes in basic football principles. One of those rules is the sport is a meritocracy.

It’s something most football players expect, and Harbaugh is applying it ever so closely while evaluating his first Giants team.

“The best player is the player that plays the best. The best team is the team that plays the best,” Harbaugh said Thursday. “They prove it on the field. That's what merit is all about. There's really not too much – it doesn't really matter what family you were born into or how much money you have, you make it to National Football League, you just have to be a great football player.”

One way that’s applied is Odell Beckham Jr. Despite Beckham’s success with the Giants a decade ago, he’s fighting for reps at receiver since a roster spot is far from guaranteed.

Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese were added this offseason at inside linebacker. Darius Muasau, who played often his first two seasons, has been relegated to second- and third-team duty in camp so far.

There’s also the cornerback rotation that’s become one of the more intriguing camp battles so far. Greg Newsome has taken most of the first-team reps, but this week Deonte Banks has gotten some as well. It’s a surprise given Banks’ struggles his first three seasons, but Harbaugh said he likes the competition so far.

“I really feel good about our corner depth,” Harbaugh said. “I think we've got some guys there. So, we're just going to let those guys keep competing and it brings out the best in everybody.”

At the same time, a clean slate doesn’t erase what players have done before. Consider receiver Jalin Hyatt and offensive lineman Evan Neal.

Neal was surprisingly re-signed to a one-year deal this offseason despite not playing since Week 17 in 2024. He’s played mostly on the third team and it appears he’s a longshot to make the roster.

Same with Hyatt entering his last season under contract. Hyatt's career has been disappointing in three seasons and he’s mostly been getting third-team and special-teams reps in camp. A fresh start hasn't changed a new staff's perception of him so far.

That’s part of Harbaugh’s job now. He may be evaluating everyone with fresh eyes but you can’t always ignore someone’s body of work. While some like Banks are getting more chances to reverse their reputation, others like Neal and Hyatt haven’t yet proved their careers can be salvaged yet.

It’s all a part of Harbaugh determining who will play for his first team. The Giants need that high standard If they want to avoid another 4-13 season.

“Every player is a great player,” Harbaugh said. "Then even among the best in the world, which is the National Football League, there's still levels, right? And they earn it. The guys earn it. Talent, but also application in terms of performance.”

How will Harbaugh handle playing starters in the preseason?

The Giants’ first preseason game is a week away on Aug. 15 hosting the Vikings. With a new coaching staff, there will be a closer look at how much John Harbaugh chooses to play his starters.

He hasn’t decided yet how much they will play. From his comments Thursday, don’t be surprised if some starters get more reps next Saturday or the following two preseason games.

“We're a young team. So, young guys, we're going to want them out there playing and getting experience,” Harbaugh said. “So, that's kind of the way I would think would be the way we'd be leaning. How much, what degree, what games, we have to figure that out still.”

It’s the usual choice of balancing chemistry over safety. The Giants would love more live reps to test out their new offense and defense. Teams don’t lean heavily on starters in the preseason. The Giants have a joint practice with the Dolphins on Aug. 20, so that'll be another good testing ground.

Harbaugh has time to figure things out. The Giants’ other preseason games are at the Dolphins on Aug. 22 and the Jets on Aug. 28.

Praise for Francis Mauigoa

Arvell Reese isn’t the only Giants rookie turning heads through training camp. His fellow first round pick Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa has impressed teammates as well.

Mauigoa has taken a lot of first-team reps at right guard so far. For someone who mostly played tackle in college, he’s held his own while going through the usual challenges rookies face.

“Just professional. To be a rookie, he’s in tune to his assignments,” left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “He has really good technique. Obviously, he has the physical traits. It's been exciting to see him put it together so far.”

With four starting linemen back from last season, it can make Mauigoa’s adjustment easier to learn from so many veterans. It also can add pressure.

There will be some bumps and mistakes since Mauigoa is learning a new position. But so far, he’s handled things well. It’s not just his fellow linemen praising him.Tthe first-team defense is also noticing his potential.

“I think the guys that's on the O-line is making him better as well,” linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said Thursday. “He's learning from some of the older guys, but early impressions, he's strong. He understands like blocking schemes and where to be at. So, he's doing a good job right now.”

WR Xavier Gipson, CB Nic Jones exchange blows

We have our first Giants practice skirmish of training camp. In one corner was receiver Xavier Gipson. In the other, cornerback Nic Jones.

Gipson and Jones exchanged blows after the last play of practice before they were separated by teammates. Coach John Harbaugh said afterward that he didn't know what set it off.

"I cannot wait to find out. It seemed like much ado about nothing to me," Harbaugh told reporters. "The guys were really ready to get up and get in the circle, so they picked him up and carried him over there. I'm sure it'll be fine. But I am looking forward to hearing the story."

The Giants are eight practices deep so it was inevitable something happened by now. Fortunately, nobody got hurt so it was just steam being blown off.

Dart, Giants' offense a work-in-progress under new coordinator Nagy

How would Jaxson Dart assess things after eight practices?

"I think the really good thing that I'm seeing right now with the offense is our communication after practices being able to fix adjustments for the next day," Dart told reporters on Thursday. "And that's really encouraging to see. And I think that if we just continue to do this process we'll be in a good spot."

The team has two more days in West Virginia before leaving on Saturday. The offense has been up-and-down so far as they adjust both to a new offense from coordinator Matt Nagy.

The Giants are installing plenty of new concepts so it's given Dart and the offense a heavy exposure of what to expect in-season. Coach John Harbaugh said the plan is for the coaches to throw as much as they can at the offense so they can develop quicker.

Dart also credited defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's new schemes.

"While we're installing plays, a lot of times it's to exotic looks," Dart said. "And so, it's good for us to have that communication and it's good for us to make those adjustments and have those conversations so by the time we get into the season, we feel like we've seen a lot already."

Dart also addressed his side of throwing a ball at cornerback Greg Newsome after scoring a touchdown. It drew a penalty and Harbaugh said it was addressed during a team meeting.

Newsome said Wednesday he wasn't bothered by Dart's fiery nature. Dart took accountability but also downplayed any tension with Newsome.

"G-New's my brother. I mean, brothers compete, brothers get into it, and that's just part of the competitiveness that we have out here," Dart said. "It's a battle each and every day. It's a battle every single play, and I think that when you're in those environments, it just gets competitive.

"That's just kind of football, but at the same time you got to respect the fact that you hold each other accountable and you have those conversations, but we're competing."

Nabers trending in the right direction

The Giants didn't practice in full pads since NFL rules state teams can't practice in pads for more than three straight days. So Thursday was a walkthrough, not a full-speed practice.

Malik Nabers was involved in some team drills with practice at a slower speed. It's the first time he has done anything in 11-on-11 work during his rehab.

Time will tell when that translates to 11-on-11 drills on full speed, but it's another good sign.

"I know Malik is really into it. He is pouring himself into it with everything he's got," coach John Harbaugh told reporters after practice Thursday. "Learn the offense. Know what he's doing. Because he knows he's going to be back playing soon. How soon? That depends. We'll see. But he's preparing himself to have a great season, so I'm excited about that."

CB Phillips has knee sprain, will be out 'a little bit'

Dru Phillips' injury in Wednesday's practice turned out to be a mild knee sprain, John Harbaugh told reporters after practice on Thursday. He'll be out for "a little bit," Harbaugh added, without explaining in more detail.

Phillips has started with the Giants' first team during camp so expect Ar'Darius Washington and Nic Jones to fill in for him.

Cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse was also held out of practice due to an "ongoing knee issue," Harbaugh said. He added the Giants could look into signing another cornerback after adding David Long and D.J. James on Wednesday.

Giants add a FB, waive a TE

The Giants added some fullback help by signing Grant Finley on Thursday, per the team. They also waived tight end Tyler Moore to make room for the signing.

Finley (6-4, 281 pounds) was in the Giants' rookie minicamp in May as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri Western. He mainly played defensive line in his four seasons but played some time at fullback.

D.J. Reader a big DT with big shoes to fill

D.J. Reader made clear in June that he's not Dexter Lawrence's replacement at defensive tackle. But he's stepping into a role Lawrence made famous the last few seasons.

It's Reader's job to anchor the middle of the defensive line with Lawrence traded to Cleveland and Roy Robertson-Harris out with a season-ending Achilles injury. That means there's more pressure on him, among others, to fix the Giants' run defense that's been leaky the last few seasons.

"That's the most important part of the game," Reader said. "That's one of those things I take pride in as a nose guard, especially – it's part of the game that everybody can get involved in."

The Giants were last in opponent yards per carry (5.32) and second-to-last in rushing defense last season. It explains why the Giants signed a slew of defensive tackles, including Reader and Shelby Harris, after trading Lawrence.

General manager Joe Schoen said it'll be a committee approach at defensive tackle, and the inside linebacker upgrades (signing Tremaine Edmunds and drafting Arvell Reese) should help stop the run as well. Reader and Harris have taken most of the reps alongside second-year tackle Darius Alexander.

But Reader isn't worried about stepping into Lawrence's shoes. The 10-year veteran has the mentality that stopping the run starts with him and has to be a collective team mindset.

"It's going to take everybody's effort to build that wall, force things back inside to your bigger guys, let things roll up top to your corners who can tackle," Reader said. "It’s one of those things that takes effort from everybody, and if you’re bought in, you can stop the run."

Giants DBs are fans of Wilson's aggressive style

What can the Giants expect from a Dennard Wilson-led defense? The new defensive coordinator laid out his principles in April with key words: Unpredictable. Dynamic. Decisive. Unapologetic.

Through training camp, the Giants are seeing more of what that looks like, especially in the secondary: more press coverage with cornerbacks jamming receivers close to the line of scrimmage to disrupt routes, and more shifting up front to hit gaps in the offensive line.

"Just being aggressive. Getting up and challenging people," cornerback Greg Newsome said. "This is something that I'm used to, something that I'm comfortable with."

Safety Tyler Nubin took it a step further. He believes this defense can create more turnovers. The Giants have been in the NFL's bottom 10 in takeaways the last two seasons, including 25th last season with 15 takeaways, one more than the Titans had with Wilson in charge.

From the back of the defense, Nubin sees a unit that can let the cornerbacks be more physical and make quarterbacks think twice about trying to throw over 6-4 linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese.

"I think Dennard always has opportunistic defenses, looking back where he's been," he said. "Because they attack, and they make the offense think, gets them on their heels a little bit."

It helps the Giants have great edge rushers like Brian Burns and Abdul Carter leading the way. But if the defense is to improve, they need to fix two areas: stopping the run and creating more plays in the secondary.

For the second category, the defensive backs believe the changes Wilson is making can help lead to more stops. Especially Nubin, who has yet to record an interception in two seasons and has just three career pass deflections.

"We can have our eyes on the quarterback and really go attack the football," Nubin said. "So yeah, I think it's definitely going to give me a really good opportunity for sure."

Beckham knows he has to prove himself, and that's just fine with him

John Harbaugh has players address the team before meetings every morning. He calls them "wise words." On Wednesday, it was Odell Beckham Jr.'s turn.

His message was simple. Yesterday's touchdown doesn't win you today's game. It sums up how Beckham is approaching this second chance with the Giants.

Beckham had a strong practice on Tuesday with the first team and another solid showing Wednesday. But he didn't want to rest on that because he knows making the roster requires consistent production, not just a few days.

"I was like, ‘I want to have an even better day tomorrow.’ And I feel like the whole team is carrying that mentality," Beckham told reporters Wednesday. "But personally for me, it's just about stacking those days. Just finding ways to build confidence, build confidence from within the team and myself included.

Beckham, who hasn't played in the NFL since 2024, is still popular with Giants fans who've seen him at practice. But fame won't guarantee a roster spot.

It's a new challenge for him, especially someone used to being a No. 1 receiver. But it's why he wanted the opportunity to prove himself that he could compete on his terms. Not by looking back at his past glory but looking ahead to build on each day's work.

"I'm all for competition. I've always been like that," Beckham said. "I feel like I rise to the occasion. And right now, I'm just trying to stay in the bag, you know what I mean? I'm trying to get better each and every day, know exactly what I’ve got to do, get open, catch the ball, score, get back to the game that I truly love, and I'm just grateful for the opportunity."

Fiery, competitive fun between Dart and Newsome

A week into training camp and it's natural that tensions will run hot. The first week saw no skirmishes, but with the pads coming on Monday, it was bound to happen.

On Tuesday, Jaxson Dart scored on a touchdown run and threw the ball at cornerback Greg Newsome. Newsome had to be held back and Dart was assessed a taunting penalty enforced on the PAT. 

Newsome addressed the play on Wednesday. He was upset in the moment but appreciated Dart's fiery nature as a new teammate.

"I'm a guy that chirps. I like stuff like that," said Newsome, who signed as a free agent this offseason. "So, we were laughing at lunch about it literally after practice [Tuesday]."

Newsome learned quickly how Dart's competitive spirit can uplift a team or get under an opponent's skin. Add in the heat of West Virginia and six days of practice and things will be more annoying.

However, it brought the two closer and gave Newsome a good look at how Dart is wired on and off the field.

"We were about to post a little selfie because I seen it got on ESPN and stuff," Newsome said. "So, it was fun. It was funny. I like the aggression. I like that with my quarterback. So, it's all good."

Injury news from Giants camp

Brian Burns was held out of Giants' practice Wednesday due to what coach John Harbaugh called a "minor thing." Harbaugh said the All-Pro linebacker would've been able to play if it was a game.

Receiver Malachi Fields and safety Beau Brade are also dealing with minor injuries. Cornerback Dru Phillips also left practice with something minor, Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh told reporters about Phillips, "We'll keep monitoring it [Wednesday night], but it looks like it's going to be okay." 

Roster moves: Roy Robertson-Harris to IR, Beaux Collins waived

The Giants placed defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris on injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday. His season's officially over after tearing his Achilles in May during organized team activities.

Coach John Harbaugh said in June the team held off putting Robertson-Harris on IR because there was a chance he could return later in the season. Those plans have changed and Robertson-Harris will miss the 2026 season, his last under contract.

In other moves, the Giants signed defensive backs D.J. James and David Long. James played for the UFL's Orlando Storm earlier this year. Long hasn't played an NFL game since 2024 but had a stint with the Panthers last season.

The team also waived receiver Beaux Collins with an injury designation. Collins was an undrafted free agent who made the team last season, mostly on special teams.

Adebo knows he needs to step it up

Paulson Adebo got the Giants' biggest free agent contract last season yet he knows his play at cornerback didn't meet his standard.

"Overall, not good enough, regardless of whatever circumstance is going on," Adebo told reporters Tuesday.

Adebo, who signed a three-year, $54 million deal, played 12 games due to injuries but had just one interception. It was his first season as a No. 1 corner yet he didn't make any excuses on his performance not meeting his standards.

He's had two interceptions so far in camp and he's credited new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's scheme as a positive change. Wilson's defense is more aggressive and allows corners to play in press coverage to be more physical with receivers.

It plays to Adebo's strengths and can disrupt offenses a bit, especially giving the defense more time to get to the quarterback. But it has to show up in games.

Adebo is being paid like a No. 1 corner and believes himself to be one. He just knows has to produce better in his second Giants season.

"There's more expectations, so there's more from the outside as far as being able to fulfill those expectations," he said. "But for me, personally, it's always been the same, trying to be the best in the league."

Checkmate! Likely playing chess out there

Isaiah Likely might be the Giants' newest tight end but he prefers a different position: Chess piece. 

He can play in the slot and run slants like a bishop.

Coach John Harbaugh praised his route running, which could make a knight.

Likely's size can make him intimidating running downfield like a rook moving in straight lines on a chess board.

Add in his size — 6-4 and 245 pounds — and that's a potential mismatch that's made him a favored target of Jaxson Dart. Likely is also having fun giving his new quarterback multiple ways to find him downfield. 

"I try to perfect my craft every day, try to stay on the same schedule as the quarterback," Likely told reporters Tuesday. "I try to put as much savviness as I can on film to show Jax many ways I can win 1-on-1." 

Dart utilized tight ends often last season so Likely will fit in quite well next to Theo Johnson. He's already causing problems for the Giants' defense, as they learn how to handle a versatile weapon. 

"He's just a great, big target. He's also fluid," safety Tyler Nubin said. "He's quicker than you think, so he gives a safety kind of a matchup as far as [a] safety being a little too small for him and linebackers not being quick enough for him." 

Beckham makes most of opportunity with first-team offense

When Odell Beckham Jr. warmed up last Friday, fans were yelling and cheering him like he was the Odell of old. But outside of a toe-tap touchdown catch later that day, Beckham has been mostly quiet with practice production.

That changed Tuesday. With Juju Smith-Schuster held out of practice for knee soreness and Darius Slayton held out of team periods for maintenance, Beckham got more first-team reps. Coach John Harbaugh said it just probably worked out for Beckham to get reps without saying if it was based on performance or merit.

Still, Beckham made a few plays showing he could contribute with the first-team offense.

"I think he's doing a good job," Harbaugh told reporters. "He's playing well. Everybody's working hard and so is he."

There's still questions if Beckham can make the team. Malik Nabers and Slayton are guarantees. Free agent signees Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III are as well. Rookie Malachi Fields has been impressive. That leaves Beckham, Smith-Schuster and Braxton Berrios leading a group that has to fight behind them.

Beckham isn't just exciting fans. He's got teammates in awe who grew up watching him when he was one of the NFL's best young receivers a decade ago.

"I literally just missed Odell on the front end," said Slayton, who was drafted by the Giants in 2019 a month after they traded Beckham to the Browns. "He almost felt like a fake unicorn mythical creature that departed before I came. And then here he is back on the team with me"

Nabers called it "surreal" that Beckham is his teammate. He called his fellow LSU product a great role model and leader that's also helped him deal with rehabbing after his ACL/meniscus surgeries.

"It's good having him around. He's always lifting me up," Nabers said last Thursday. "He'll always continue to call me, ask me how I feel, send me text messages, just motivation."

Jaxson Dart said similar things about Beckham being a mentor who's pouring into his teammates. It's one way Beckham's presence in camp has been a positive influence.

Until Tuesday, that influence was limited on the field. He made the most of his opportunity but now he's back to proving it wasn't just a cameo with Slayton and Smith-Schuster being limited.

"I think every time we line up against him, he looks good," cornerback Paulson Adebo told reporters Tuesday. "I grew up watching him as a youngin, so it's definitely cool to be able to go up against him. But yeah, he definitely looks like he looks ready."

Practice makes perfect? Giants sure hope so when it comes to late-game situations.

Fourth quarter play was one of several issues that plagued the Giants last season. They blew five fourth-quarter leads, including three double-digit leads.

It's hard not remembering that when watching the Giants practice two-minute drills during training camp. Coach John Harbaugh isn't making it an added priority, but it's something the team focuses on.

"There is a lot of fourth-quarter work, you've noticed probably. But also, we've always done that," Harbaugh said Saturday. "So, the situation stuff is whole, part, whole. We throw everything at them right away on every situation we can think of early."

It's also hard not remembering Harbaugh's Ravens had their own late-game issues. Last season, the Ravens blew a 15-point fourth quarter lead to the Bills. Since Harbaugh was hired in 2008, the Ravens blew 46 fourth-quarter leads, tied for second most in that span according to NFL.com.

It's something both Harbaugh and the Giants need to fix together. That's why it wasn't good on Tuesday at practice when Jaxson Dart scored a rushing touchdown late in a drill and drew a penalty tossing the ball at cornerback Greg Newsome.

The ensuing PAT was pushed back but Ben Sauls converted it. Things like that are why the Giants can't afford more late-game issues so it's good they get addressed now.

Harbaugh cited the Bears' seven fourth-quarter comebacks last season as an example of how good teams find ways to finish. The Giants don't need reminders after giving up a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in Chicago.

That's why last Friday, it was good seeing Darius Alexander make an interception to end practice. On Saturday, Dart and Jameis Winston each ran two-minute drills that ended with Dominic Zvada converting field goals.

Dart's silly penalty aside Tuesday, the Giants aim to get the message. Finish better in late-game situations in practice so you can do it when games count.

"We want to expose them to all those situations right out of the gate because those things are going to be things that actually win you games," Harbaugh said. "Those are game-winning play opportunities usually. So, we want to be as good as we can be at that stuff."

Burns eyes first-team All-Pro

Brian Burns was happy to make the All-Pro second team last season. It was the first All-Pro selection of his career but it also fed some motivation entering this season.

"I got something else to work towards, trying to get first team," Burns said. "Just the goals just keep getting higher."

Burns raising his standards coincides with him getting more respect around the league. The NFL's Top 100 player list is at No. 37 after Tuesday and Burns hasn't been named yet. It's fair to assume he'll be on the list somewhere and that he'll be the only Giants player listed.

It's a reminder of how Burns has been a bright spot despite two bad Giants seasons. It's also left him unsatisfied since he knows there's more he can do to affect winning. More eyes around the league are watching Burns, and he's determined to prove why as he leads this Giants defense that must improve this season.

"There's still a lot of meat left on the bone, so you got to keep working," Burns said.

Arvell Reese already turning heads after one week

Arvell Reese's first week of NFL training camp is already drawing strong reviews from teammates.

The rookie linebacker deflected a pass from Jaxson Dart on Day 3 of practice, showing off his long arms and awareness. The praise continued Monday, where despite rainy conditions in West Virginia, he stood out on a day the defense struggled with penalties.

"He's big, strong, physical. I think he's a great football player," running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. said. "I think Arvell is see ball, get ball. I think that's the best way to describe him."

"Kid has a chance to be real special," added defensive tackle D.J. Reader. "You don't really get a chance to see kids that size move around like how he does at every different position, really run around and be smart."

Reese, the fifth overall pick in the draft, showed some of those "get ball" skills in the spring with his ability to close in quickly on ballcarriers. Coach John Harbaugh praised him in rookie camp for not missing any assignments, and that's carried over in camp where Harbaugh added Monday that Reese gets things right on the field "pretty much all the time."

He hasn't looked out of place so far getting first team reps next to Tremaine Edmunds. That's a good sign for someone who's learning multiple roles while also still adjusting to NFL practice speed.

"I'm glad he's on our team. I'll tell you that," right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said. "He's quick, he's physical. You can tell that he truly loves this game and that his instincts are just ridiculous."

Punishment for penalties? Push-ups

Last week, the Giants' offense saw punishments for getting penalties. Jermaine Eluemunor and Tyrone Tracy were pulled out of play Thursday after pre-snap penalties. They eventually returned to action.

The defense did push-ups Saturday after practice, but it wasn't clear why. On Monday, it was revealed as a punishment for penalties after the defense had too many for defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's liking.

"We do push-ups with penalties. We had four, but we've got to work out a system here," defensive tackle DJ Reader told reporters. "I think we get a turnover to get those 10 back. We've got 10 every penalty, so we had four today."

Discipline has been a talking point early in camp. The Giants can't avoid penalties, but they're learning how to limit them — or else they pay for it.

Coach John Harbaugh was fine with Wilson's rules but quibbled a bit with how the defense did their pushups.

"They don't go all the way up," Harbaugh told reporters. "You go all the way down, touch your chest on the ground, and you go all the way up and extend. But they kind of do this little, short push-up thing. "

Tracy OK with lack of attention

Tyrone Tracy knows most Giants fans and football fans are in love with Cam Skattebo — even though Tracy was the more productive running back last season.

It doesn't bother him. Tracy might be overlooked despite having two seasons with over 1,000 scrimmage yards to start his career. He's focused on the bigger picture.

"I know for a fact that I could just chill and relax and allow God to work in my life," Tracy told reporters Monday. "So, when you say [Skattebo] gets all the attention, I really don't care about that, to be honest. I'm about football. About what I do on the field, how I carry myself on the field and off the field as well."

Skattebo and Tracy have taken their share of first-team reps so far in camp. With John Harbaugh's run-heavy offense, both will get a strong amount of carries along with Jaxson Dart running the ball.

But Tracy said there's no issues with him or Skattebo. They complement each other well, and Tracy appreciates how he and Skattebo drive each other to be better on and off the field.

"It's not necessarily like me against him, but best believe that I'm going to push him to be the best that he can be," Tracy said. "And he's going to push me to be the best that I can be each and every day. Whether it's running the ball, passing, blocking, being a good teammate."

The players are all patched up

Keen observers might have seen a new patch on the Giants' practice jerseys in training camp. It's something John Harbaugh brought over from his time with the Ravens.

"The patches are something we've been doing since ‘08," said Harbaugh, referring back to his first season as head coach. "They are kind of an honoring of the military award medal type things. We started those."

Several players have a white patch that features a muscular arm holding a blue Giants football on a stick. That's for completing a certain amount of the offseason program. Some have a white patch with a sword, which is for a Giants playoff appearance. Others, like Brian Burns, have a patch with stars showing their Pro Bowl selections.

It's just another thing that's part of Harbaugh's imprint on the team. He added that more patches could come in-season for various things as games are played.

Will Harbaugh's tougher practices translate to wins?

One thing that’s stood out so far from Giants camp is the pace of it. There’s a lot more live reps with full team drills whether it’s 11-on-11 or 7-on-7 work.

That’s the way coach John Harbaugh wants it. Training camp, he said, is about “preparing for the games that we’re going to play.” For right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, it’s exactly what he remembers spending his first two seasons with Harbaugh in Baltimore.

“Harbs is really trying to get the most out of everyone while obviously staying within the rules,” Eluemunor told Newsday. “I like these type of practices. I’ve been here for a while. These practices are real. Like, get down to the point. Let’s practice what we’re actually gonna run during the season and get good at it instead of just running a bunch of crap.”

It’ll be more intense starting Monday, the first padded practice of training camp. It starts six consecutive practice days in West Virginia. But the Giants need that, especially if Harbaugh’s reputation for tough practices leads to a better start..

In their last three season openers, the Giants scored 12 combined points with zero touchdowns. They were shut out 40-0 in 2023 by the Cowboys. They started 0-2 in 2024 and 0-3 last season.

To be fair, the Ravens didn’t start fast in recent years with Harbaugh. They were 1-5 last season and 0-2 in 2024. But they started 2-0 in 2023 and were 3-1 after four games.

Even if there’s no guarantee a tougher practice will work, the Giants needed a shakeup. Harbaugh’s training camp philosophy has been a welcome sight so far.

“We're not just running plays out here to run plays,” Harbaugh said. “That’s why we want to keep our plays to ourselves when we're doing them out here. So, that's what we're evaluating, is our execution.”

It’s why Eluemunor has enjoyed getting re-acquainted with Harbaugh’s style. Some young players might not be used to it. Even Eluemunor as a younger player said he wasn’t mature enough to handle it fully under Harbaugh.

But now? He’s ready and so are the Giants after their first four days getting acclimated to Harbaugh’s practice tempo.

“I feel like we’re putting that callous on our body now,” Eluemunor said. “So once we actually do put the shoulder pads on, it’s not going to be any drop off. We’re going to take off head first and go into deep waters.”

6 observations from the first week of Giants training camp

1. Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy will get a lot of looks for the No. 1 running back.

It's an intriguing battle but it may not matter who starts Week 1 if both backs get a healthy diet of carries.

2. Tight end Isaiah Likely is fitting in quite well as a favorite target for Jaxson Dart.

With Malik Nabers not yet in team drills, it has given Likely a great chance to build chemistry and it's shown being a big presence down the middle.

3. Darius Alexander's interception to end Day 3 of practice wasn't just a flash.

The second-year defensive tackle is getting his share of first-team reps. Yes, the Giants loaded up at that position signing DJ Reader, Shelby Harris and others, but there's an opportunity for Alexander to make a name for himself.

4. The Giants' offense has struggled so far.

Dart has looked a bit more flustered, and the defensive front is getting good pressure. I'm not as worried about it since training camp is where mistakes should happen. Dart is learning a whole new system and playing under center more. This is where the kinks need to be ironed out but there's time to work on that. But on the flip side...

5. Abdul Carter and Brian Burns have been great getting pressure.

Kayvon Thibodeaux has looked great being disruptive on the second team. Harbaugh said he believes he has three starting outside linebackers and all three have made an impact so far.

6. Rookie WR Malachi Fields has flashed some good things.

He's not just a big target, his catch radius is impressive when you throw him the ball. With Nabers out, every receiver needs to prove they can make plays and Fields is showing potential there.

Abdul Carter as a DPOY? Go for it!

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Abdul Carter leaped in the air after beating Andrew Thomas to force pressure on quarterback Jaxson Dart on Thursday. Dart escaped to throw a pass but it would’ve been a sack under normal conditions.

He jumped and yelled an expletive at the defensive sideline. It was the third straight pressure Carter brought and he was clearly fired up.

Call it bold, brash or early training camp exuberance. But the Giants need that production and energy from their second-year linebacker and he knows it.

Maybe that’s why he has a bold goal for Year 2.

“I want to be Defensive Player of the Year, for sure.” Carter said Friday.

One might pause and question Carter’s gumption. But remember, this is the same player who wanted Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 last season as a rookie and then appealed for Phil Simms’ No. 11, Carter’s college number.

OK, fine. This fits his style, having big goals. But we also remember people expected Carter to be Defensive Rookie of the Year. A reasonable goal as the No. 3 pick. A goal, however, that Carter didn’t reach partly because of his play and poor decision making that led to two first-quarter benchings.

It’s a reason to pump the brakes on any predictions. At the same time, Carter’s ambition is a good thing. He’s self-aware enough to be honest about where he must improve and he’s saying and doing the right things so far in camp.

“I learned a lot,” Carter said about his rookie year. “But I feel like everybody knows toward the end of the season, I started to really find my stride. I started to figure things out. I’m going to try to carry that out to Year 2.”

What did Carter figure out? How to get sacks. Starting with the Giants’ loss at the Patriots, the second game for which he was benched, he had a streak of four straight games with at least a half-sack.

Secondly, how to be a professional. Carter had no more incidents after being punished for being late to team meetings. After the Giants’ season-ending win over the Cowboys, he told the locker room that everyone should do what they can to avoid another 4-13 season.

Carter showed more maturity this offseason, responding to his social media denouncement of Dart introducing President Donald Trump at a rally. Carter didn’t back down from his words nor did he abandon his quarterback, whom he’s often praised for their strong relationship.

Whether you agree with Carter or Dart, you have to admire Carter’s poise. He didn’t hesitate or sound unsure of himself. He made clear points while focusing on team unity.

That’s the leadership you want in a first-round pick. Now more actions have to match words. Great practice plays must become great practice days. Find joy in repetition, not creating moments here and there.

So if he wants to chase Defensive Player of the Year, camp is where that starts. Games are where that’s proved. So far, Carter has earned positive reviews for his growth.

“He wants to be a good player, so when you have that drive, you just have to get it going in the right direction,” Thomas said.

“You just learn as you go. He’s a young kid, he’s going to learn, he’s going to get even better, so I’m excited to see him play.”

Coach John Harbaugh was impressed that Carter came to him and said he wants to be more consistent. Harbaugh responded by saying the Giants want to use him in more ways besides rushing the passer. Play the run. Cover for teammates when offensive players are in motion.

If Carter wants to be that guy next to All-Pro Brian Burns — prove it.

“Come out here every day and do everything well all the time,” Harbaugh said. “That’s what he’s chasing. Chase perfection. That’s what he’s chasing.

“Can you achieve perfection? Maybe not all the time, but you can certainly do it some of the time.”

And what does Carter think? Challenge accepted.

“Everybody knows who I can be as a pass rusher,” he said. “I feel like for me to really take that next step and be who I want to be is me being consistent and applying everything.”

For the record, only three players won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in their second season. Luke Kuechly, J.J. Watt and . . . Lawrence Taylor.

But if Carter wants the NFL’s top defensive honor — go for it. It’ll keep him motivated to improve on the field as a player and leader. It’ll also remind the Giants why they believed he’s their pass rusher of the future who can also impact the present.

“I know what I’m capable of,” Carter said.

“And I know if I put the work in and believe in myself, trusting myself, trust in my teammates, trust in my coaches, I can be whoever I want to be.”

And on Sunday, they rested

The Giants are off Sunday in West Virginia before resuming practice Monday. The pads will come on and the intensity will rise to start six consecutive days of practice, the longest uninterrupted stretch of training camp.

A day off should give the Giants a chance to explore The Greenbrier's plush facilities and amenities a bit more. Some players also gathered to watch "Spider-Man: Brand New Day". But a rest day should suit them well for what's coming next.

There could be rain on the horizon this week, so that'll add another element to practices. The Giants have given good effort through four days and coach John Harbaugh singled that out this week for what he's loved the most so far.

Now we'll see how that carries over into Week 2 of camp.

Training camp at The Greenbrier: 'This is like what you see in the movies'

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Brian Burns paused for a few seconds when asked about the Giants starting training camp at The Greenbrier. The linebacker looked at the hundreds of trees surrounding the facility and nodded his head several times admiring the view.

“It’s nice,” Burns said. “It’s peaceful, a lot of mountains, trees, wildlife. It’s a peaceful view, but there’s a lot of chaos on the field.”

The Greenbrier, where the Giants hold camp until Aug. 8, provides a different backdrop from the Giants’ previous camps at their facility in New Jersey. Instead of MetLife Stadium in the distance, the Giants are at a luxury resort surrounded by green scenery in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.

There seems to be less humidity compared to the muggy, warm conditions in East Rutherford. There’s also more wildlife, which caught Burns almost by surprise.

“I think I’ve seen an eagle or something,” he said. “There was a big bird that flew over the practice field when we was out there. I [didn’t] see no bears or nothing. I’m not trying to see that.”

It’s the first time the Giants have held camp off-site since 2012 when they were in Albany. The Giants’ training facility is undergoing renovations that began this year, which includes upgrades to the locker room, weight room and dining facilities.

The team announced in July that the renovations will be done by 2028. So between that and the World Cup hosting games at MetLife, the team decided in advance to begin training camp this year at The Greenbrier.

The 11,000-acre facility has hotel rooms, private cottages, estate homes, fine dining options, an 18-hole golf course and more amenities. It’s a secluded resort three miles off Interstate 64.

There’s also little to do outside of the grounds, so there’s more focus on the task at hand. As coach John Harbaugh said in June, it’s all football, all the time.

Yet the players allowed themselves to marvel at a different view. Linebacker Abdul Carter said it reminded him of training camps at Penn State being surrounded by nature.

For others, they had flashbacks of seeing football camps in rural areas like in the films “Remember the Titans” or “We Are Marshall.”

“This is old school. This is like what you see in the movies,” quarterback Jaxson Dart said.

However, the Giants aren’t roughing it with dirt fields and uncomfortable heat. They’re practicing on two grass fields, with the option of a turf field if conditions worsen. The performance center also has an NFL-size locker room and offices for coaches.

For the first four days of practice, temperatures were between the high-70s and low-80s. It’s perhaps the biggest change for players used to training in different conditions this time of year. Greenbrier is 2,000 feet above sea level; East Rutherford is 3 feet above.

“I was talking to [offensive lineman] Jon [Runyan Jr.] and I was telling him that I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a training camp where it’s this cold outside,” left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “I’m from the South. Even in Jersey, it gets humid, so I’m not complaining, I’m excited.”

Burns recalled staying in dorm rooms when he traveled for training camp with the Panthers. So he was impressed with the Greenbrier’s accommodations.

Outside the main hotel, there are dozens of flowers arranged on the plaza welcoming guests. Inside, there’s blue carpet leading people downstairs into the lobby, where there’s a marble, checkered floor in the reception area.

“It’s very colorful in there,” Burns said. “It’s a lot of colors and wallpapers but, I mean, this is a different scene, so I mean, it’s cool. I like it.”

It helps that The Greenbrier built its athletic facilities with NFL teams in mind. The Saints were the first team to train there from 2012-14 and other teams followed suit, including the Patriots and Browns. The 49ers also stayed there from 2020-22 in between consecutive East Coast road games.

Harbaugh is no stranger to camps in different locations. He spent his first three Ravens training camps at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, and his teams stayed at a Best Western hotel.

The Greenbrier isn’t just a step up from those days. It’s leaps and bounds beyond what Harbaugh expected both in visuals and productivity.

“It was fun to kind of just get here and be a part of it,” Harbaugh said. “I’m just really appreciative of the people here. How good they’ve been. I mean, every single person says, ‘We appreciate you being here. What can we do for you?’ Make you feel welcome.”

Sunday is a day off before Monday begins six consecutive days of practice. Monday is also the start of padded practices, which will raise the intensity.

But if the Giants can reverse going 4-13 and 3-14 the last two seasons, this idyllic setting could be remembered fondly as a building block of the Harbaugh era. For now, it’s a different scene that players and coaches can appreciate without forgetting their main purpose of being there.

“It’s a beautiful landscape,” receiver Darius Slayton said, “and kind of nice to have nothing but football going on.”

Former Knicks coach visits camp

The Giants had a coaching visitor at camp today. Former Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni.

D'Antoni has West Virginia ties from being born in the state and playing college basketball at Marshall before his pro career. D'Antoni watched practice from the sidelines and chatted up Giants coach John Harbaugh once practice was over.

D'Antoni coached the Knicks from 2008-2012 and was a Nets assistant from 2020-21 under former player Steve Nash. He also coached the Suns, Lakers and Rockets.

WR Slayton says Harbaugh is 'what we needed'

Darius Slayton was held out of spring ball due to a sports hernia surgery. So it's been a good to see the team's longest tenured player at practice this week catching passes without a problem or any limitations.

Saturday was his first time speaking with the media since January and he reminded quickly why he's one of the more thoughtful players in the locker room. A sampling of his quotes today.

On the changes in the wide receiver room adding Odell Beckham Jr., Juju Smith-Schuster and Braxton Berrios: "There's a lot of really good football players in our room now, and definitely from a competition-level standpoint, it's awesome. I mean, obviously I literally just missed Odell on the front end. He almost felt like a fake unicorn mythical creature that departed before I came."

Does John Harbaugh fit what Slayton was looking for as a Tom Coughlin-esque coach?: "I would say so...I feel like he's in that echelon, that elk. He obviously came from arguably one of the most old-school divisions in football...I definitely think he's what we needed. There's definitely been a sense of accountability off the rip, which has been huge for us."

Slayton also clarified his sports hernia surgery was on both legs and he played through it the whole last season. He didn't want to cut his season short with surgery so he just got through it.
"I'm not a big excuse person," Slayton said. "So, at the end of the day, I could have played better regardless, but obviously it's different when maybe you're used to being able to catch the ball a little easier. You're having to strain a little more and maybe come up an inch short here or there. But at the end of the day if you're out there, you've got to make it happen."

Dart interactions with young fans following practice

Quick hits from Day 4 of Giants practice

• Malik Nabers was back in individual drills after not participating Friday. He did the same things he did the first two practices here in West Virginia, which meant no full team drills.

• Paulson Adebo and Tremaine Edmunds each had interceptions off Jaxson Dart. Adebo had his on the very first series after Edmunds deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage. Later, in 7-on-7 drills, Edmunds had his own interception by tracking the ball and snatching it out of the air. 

• Dart did have a great first pass of the day. Despite Abdul Carter bearing down on him, he threw an excellent deep ball to rookie Malachi Fields, who caught over his left shoulder. His second pass, though, was the tipped pass leading to Adebo's interception.

• Odell Beckham Jr. gave the fans a highlight during team drills. He had a toe-tap touchdown catch from Jameis Winston at the back of the end zone. Naturally, it got the loudest applause of the day from fans eager to see Beckham create new memories.

Observations from Day 3 on Friday

Good morning from Saturday in West Virginia. It's Day 4 of Giants' practice and the team is off tomorrow. Here's a quick recap of some things I liked about Day 3 Friday.

*Second-year defensive tackle Darius Alexander ended practice with an interception off Jaxson Dart. He dropped into coverage and made a leaping catch. It was my pick for the play of the day.

*Ben Sauls was the only kicker who attempted field goals Friday. He was 6 for 8 from the field, including a 58-yard conversion just before the offense's last 11 on 11 series.

*Odell Beckham Jr. keeps drawing some of the loudest cheers from fans. One fan yelled his way "We need the 13", a nod to Beckham wearing No. 3, not his old 13 which Jalin Hyatt has. Beckham smiled back and laughed at the fan.

*Arvell Reese made a great pass breakup showing off his length in the middle of the field. Dart threw a pass intended for Beckham and Reese came back to tip it away. Coach John Harbaugh said the team is coaching players to bat down balls so Reese showed that he's listening.

*Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy continue to stay in the mix for the No. 1 running back spot. Both have gotten regular reps next to Dart but Skattebo has gotten a lot of work since he missed most of the spring. However, Harbaugh said it's too early to read into any pecking order at some positions because he's still learning the team.

Nabers doesn't practice, but there's no reason to worry

Malik Nabers didn't practice on Friday and John Harbaugh said that was part of the Giants' plan for the wide receiver with his rehab. Nabers didn't have setbacks the first two days doing individual drills but it was something the Giants prepared for with his recovery.

"I'd say it's part of the process. Just got to go work through it," Harbaugh said. "And every single day will be what it is, that given day. He’s working real hard. Made a lot of progress and that's what we decided to do today."

Skattebo speaks about his backflip backlash

It didn't take long to remember why Cam Skattebo remains popular with Giants fans despite playing just eight games last season.

Before practice, he ran to the sidelines and gave out high-fives to every hand along the barrier while jogging downfield. It was endearing for a player who understands that he's "the people's guy."

"People say I'm the people's guy, so I'm gonna continue being the people's guy, and keep giving kids high fives," Skattebo said. "You never know when that kid's gonna cry because he got a high five for me. So, I'm gonna continue to be who I am, and you know, hopefully make everybody happy around me, and continue to be positive.”

That's why it was important he let everyone know what time it was Friday. The failed backflip at Fanatics Fest this summer brought headlines for being reckless just before training camp.

But Skattebo made clear that fun doesn’t supersede business and he wants to show he can be the same player he was before ankle surgery ended his rookie season.

“It’s time to play football,” Skattebo said after practice Friday at The Greenbrier.

Through three days, the second-year running back practiced full speed without limitations after not participating in team drills this spring. As Skattebo noted, next month will mark 10 months since his ankle surgery and he feels “99.9% okay.”

So what would it take to feel 100%?

“I think the 100% is when I put shoulder pads on and I'm able to hit someone,” Skattebo said. “That's when I’ll tell you I'm 100%.”

He took accountability for the backflip by saying he's done dumb things but he's learning from it and listening to conversations he's had with coach John Harbaugh. Now, it's about focusing on football and finding his role in Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's run-heavy offense.

Does that mean no more backflips? At least not for now.

Skattebo said, "If a kid wants a backflip, he'll see the backflip when it's touchdown time."

Abdul Carter's goal: NFL DPOY

Abdul Carter set a lofty goal for this season on Friday: NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

It's a high bar for a second-year linebacker who had his ups and downs as a rookie. But Carter's isn't a shy person when It comes to aspirations. He initially wanted to wear Lawrence Taylor's fabled No. 51 jersey and then tried to ask for Phil Simms' No. 11 because that's his college number.

So if Carter wants to aim high, why not?

"I know what I'm capable of and I know if I put the work in and believe in myself, trust in myself, trust in my teammates, trust in my coaches, I can be whoever I want to be," Carter said after practice.

It lets everyone know how serious he is to improve after getting four sacks last season and moving past being benched for parts of two games due to tardiness. He ended the year strong with 3 1/2 sacks in the Giants' last five games, and he's had three good days of practice so far.

Defensive Player of the Year is still a high goal, especially with a teammate in Brian Burns who was a second-team All-Pro last season. How good can Carter be as a pass rusher in Year Two?

"We're going to find out," Carter said.

The fans are ready for Day 3 of practice

Takeaways and observations from Day 2 of camp

• Abdul Carter's strong practice highlighted a great day for the defense. Kayvon Thibodeaux tipped a Jameis Winston pass to himself for an interception and raced into the end zone.
• Along that note, Winston and Jaxson Dart had mixed days. Carter was constantly in the pocket forcing Dart to scramble. Dart also nearly threw an interception to Greg Newsome but Newsome dropped the pass.
• Tight end Theo Johnson had a nice leaping catch from quarterback Brandon Allen, but also dropped a pass from Dart, a reminder of his lingering issues that affected his second season.
• Fellow tight end Isaiah Likely had the catch of the day with a one-handed grab from Dart.
• There wasn't much kicking work but Dominic Zvada ended practice with a 57-yard field goal. Another good sign for the rookie trying to earn the starting job..

Giants add and subtract

The Giants made a pair of roster moves on Thursday, signing linebacker Anfernee Orji and waiving defensive lineman Ben Barten.

Orji was in uniform at practice Thursday. He tore his ACL last year in training camp with the Titans but that means he's familiar with Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who was with the Titans last year. Barten was an undrafted free agent.

How Harbaugh is trying to correct penalties

Several Giants have said that coach John Harbaugh is a man of details. Discipline matters as much as execution and training camp.

So it's not surprising that carries over to dealing with penalties. At one point Thursday, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor was flagged for a penalty and pulled out for the next play. Joshua Ezeudu replaced him before Eluemunor returned.

At another point, running back Tyrone Tracy was called for a penalty, then was replaced by Devin Singletary for a few plays. It's strict, but it's sending a message. The Giants were 30th  of 32 teams in penalties per game last season at 7.5, according to TeamRankings.com.

Meanwhile, Harbaugh's Ravens were ninth last season with 5.8 penalties per game. That's the standard Harbaugh is shooting for. If it means players get disciplined right away for penalties, then so be it if it leads to correcting behavior.

"We'll try to be penalty-free in practice if we can be," Harbaugh said. "We'll look at them all. We'll evaluate them tonight as a staff. We'll show them to the guys [Friday]."

Rookie hazing with right guard Francis Mauigoa

Training camp means rookies have to do some extra duties to earn respect. For right guard Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa, that meant serve as a cheerleader before practice.

Just before the Giants began drills, the offensive linemen playfully yelled at Mauigoa while fans took their seats. The rookie then jogged near the stands and began waving his arms up and down the sidelines. The fans obliged him with cheers and Mauigoa's fellow linemen roared with approval.

It was good natured fun for the 10th overall pick. Mauigoa already no doubt endeared himself to fans by telling quarterback Jaxson Dart that he would die for him after the Giants drafted him. Now the fans got to see more of his personality as he gets acclimated to NFL life.

"He did a good job," left tackle Andrew Thomas said. "He probably made him some money, too. That's probably about 10,000 Twitter followers."

Carter wreaks havoc on Day 2 of camp

The temperatures rose slightly into the upper-70s at the Greenbrier on Thursday compared to Wednesday's opening day of training camp. There was more energy with fans milling around, buying food and taking their seats to watch practice.

Abdul Carter did his part to raise the intensity on the field. The second-year linebacker was disruptive during team drills and at one point, he had three consecutive pressures on Jaxson Dart. A couple of those pressures came after winning battles with left tackle Andrew Thomas, who remains one of the NFL's best at his position.

It was a great day for Carter, who reminded that his second-year leap is as critical as quarterback Jaxson Dart's. He jawed back and forth with the offense and yelled at the defensive sidelines after a big play. Thomas isn't one to get in shouting matches so he instead commended Carter for his growth.

"Obviously he's a talented player. We push each other each and every day," Thomas said after practice. "He's stringing his moves together. He's using his power more and you can tell he just has a better understanding for different type of blocks, different types of attacks, recognizing play schemes."

For coach John Harbaugh, it's another element of competition that he wants at practice. Not just position battles but winning matchups. Carter going up against an All-Pro tackle in Thomas is only going to make both better as two of the Giants' best players.

Thursday reminded why Carter's second-year leap is as critical as Jaxson Dart's. As a top-three draft pick, Carter must show that the way he ended last season (3.5 sacks in the last five games) can carry over for a full season. So far, he's leaving a good impression that can happen.

"He's had two good practice. I mean, he's doing everything well right now," Harbaugh said. "He was in the backfield quite a bit...those guys (Carter and Thomas) are making each other work harder."

Harbaugh added that for Carter to take his game to the next level, he believes Carter would say he needs to be more consistent down after down, not just winning one play.

"All downs, all situations, being a complete player on the edge," Harbaugh said. "And we'll move him around too. That means even dropping him into coverage sometimes. All those things. Play the run, rush the passer, all the movements, stunts, things like that. Cover for guys on movements. All those things that he's really determined to do, I've heard him say it, to be a complete player."

Thomas may have been impressed but it didn't make it easier getting beat. Sure, he could imagine how Carter will fare against other NFL linemen if he can play like that against him.

There's still pride, however, in Thomas not letting anybody beat him in a game or a practice rep. Even if it means good things with Carter eyeing a better sophomore campaign.

"I never get excited when I lose," Thomas said. "When it's Sunday and it's just us, obviously I'm cheering for those guys, but in practice, I want to win every round just like they do."

Nabers speaks for first time since last season

If Wednesday was a first for Malik Nabers in practicing since his ACL/meniscus surgery, Thursday brought another first: his first press conference with the media since last season ended in January.

Nabers sounded happy talking about his second day of training camp. Similar to Wednesday, he only did receiver drills and offense-only install. He did some work on the side but stayed on the field longer watching practice. Instead of heading inside the Greenbrier facility 50 minutes into practice, he walked in a few minutes before practice ended.

"It felt good to be out there with the guys. Get a couple throws. Just move around," Nabers said. "I haven't moved around in a long time but running routes felt good out there."

With fans in attendance for the first practice open to the public, Nabers did just enough to show how far along he is in rehab. But he wouldn't commit to playing in Week 1 just yet, which followed what general manager Joe Schoen and coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday.

For now, his mindset is about "stacking days" and seeing how his knee improves. But there's no firm plan yet to be ready by Sept. 13, when the Giants open the season against the Cowboys.

"No target dates. Just continue to listen to the training staff," Nabers said. "They continue to ask me questions and when I'm ready, I'm ready."

Even with that, Nabers was confident he'll be a better player than he was as a rookie, when he caught 109 passes for 1,209 yards and seven touchdowns while making the Pro Bowl.

That's not just recovery-speak. It's Nabers raising the bar for himself knowing he could've done more in 2024, and he wants to push himself even beyond just being healthy again. It's still a slow process, but Nabers vowed that he won't just be back, he'll be a better receiver.

"What I was before, what y'all saw my rookie year, I felt that was basic," Nabers said. "I got high standards for myself and I know everybody has high standards for me also. But the standard that I hold myself to is very high and I feel like whatever that standard that I hold myself to, you will see sooner or later."

Watch: Giants CBs do drills

Big ex-Giants, bigger bobbleheads

Fans start arriving to camp

And the football gods said. “Let there be fans.”

Fans have started arriving for the Giants’ second day of practice, the first open practice to the public. Plenty of Giants jerseys and happy faces here in West Virginia. Some fans even showed up well before the official start of practice at 1:30.

There's also a DJ greeting fans with loud music right next to the media tent. It’s definitely a different vibe than yesterday’s serene energy. A sampling of the set list: "Moscow Mule" by Bad Bunny; "Goodies" by Ciara; "Yeah" by Usher; "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira and Wyclef Jean; "Senorita" by Justin Timberlake; and "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan mixed over "Bojangles" by Pitbull.

Odds and ends from Schoen's presser

Joe Schoen spoke yesterday and the first bit of news was updating Malik Nabers' health without giving a prediction or timetable for his return. But there was more the Giants general manager had to say, so here's a sample from the key points.

• On receiving an extension in May heading into his fifth season as GM: "It's been a little bit of a whirlwind offseason with the coaching change and just it all happened so fast. So again, just grateful and looking forward to the season." He added that it doesn't matter how long you have on your contract, it's always going to be year-to-year. Schoen then declined to say how long his extension was.
• On replacing Dexter Lawrence at defensive tackle:  "We had conversations with [DJ] Reader and Shelby [Harris]. So, we were able to bring those guys in and we're excited to do that. Obviously, Darius Alexander going into year two, so expecting a jump from him. And again, he's another player that had a good spring and the coaches are excited about. So, yeah, a little bit by committee, the rotation will be part of it. The inside linebacker upgrades I think will help too. Harbs has said it multiple times about stopping the run, it's an emphasis. We talk about it all the time. And again, it's Day 1 here, we're not in pads yet, but we're going to continue to work on that and do whatever we can to be better than we have in the past.
• On linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who's entering the last year of his deal and been mentioned in trade rumors: "He's in great shape. He's going to be a big part of this roster. He'll be an important part of our defense. He had a really good spring."
• What did you see with adding Odell Beckham Jr.? "I would say after taking a year off, not being in the league in 2025, then our first workout, he looked good, probably needed to get in a little bit better shape. Brought him back again, and coach had challenged him and he was in better shape. So again, he can still get open, he's still got really good hands, catches the ball well."
• Season expectations? "It's hard to tell now. I’m happy where we were this spring. Again, I like the staff, I like the guys that are out there. But we got to go out and do it." Schoen notably mentioned that the Giants have to prove they can handle leads and finishing games; they tied an NFL record last year by losing five games where they had a double-digit lead at any point.

Observations from Day 1 of camp

• Ben Sauls converted 4 of 5 field goals. Dominic Zvada was 3 for 5. Both converted from 48 and 51 yards. The kicker competition will be one of the key battles to watch. A reminder. Sauls was signed at the end of last year and Zvada is a rookie. Not a lot of experience but the pressure is on to produce.
• Rookie WR Malachi Fields made a leaping catch on a pass from Jameis Winston. It reminded that his catch radius is wide and he has the potential to catch a lot thrown his way.
• The best play of the day goes to WR Braxton Berrios. He caught a long touchdown pass from Winston that had the offense going wild from behind the huddle before mobbing Berrios in the end zone.
• New LB Tremaine Edmunds tipped a pass from Jaxson Dart that was nearly intercepted but rookie LB Arvell Reese and safety Ar'Darius Washington collided. It reminded that Edmunds and Reese are both long, lanky defenders covering the middle of the field.

Dart speaks, take a listen

Jaxson Dart knows that there's great expectations in Year 2 with the Giants. But he's not putting any more pressure on himself than needed.

For his first training camp as a starting quarterback, it's about keeping it simple. There's a new offense with coordinator Matt Nagy. There's developing timing with new receivers Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III and tight end Isaiah Likely. So managing expectations means keeping things simple

"I think that right now it's just growing each and every day. There's a lot that I've got to still learn," Dart said. "There are reps of things that I haven't really had a ton of experience doing. I'm taking it day by day. I'm trying to keep everything around me simple. From the things that I give my attention to, to my daily and study habits."

.@JaxsonDart speaks to the media at #Giants #trainingcamp. pic.twitter.com/OQRB7UoYlW

— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) July 29, 2026

It's all a part of his development in year two as he grows into being a better quarterback. One of those things is taking more snaps under center instead of in the shotgun.

Dart didn't do it often in college or last season but he's getting more comfortable learning how to manage it.

"There are a few things mechanically that are different," he said. "Probably just the biggest thing is a little bit of footwork landmarks in the pocket. But we've repped the hell out of it, I'm feeling really good with the track that we're on and I'm feeling comfortable. It's not something out there when I'm on the field that I have to think extra about when I'm having a rep at a certain play.

A welcome sight for the Giants: Malik Nabers on the practice field, already

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — If the Giants’ first training camp practice felt like back to school vibes, the welcome alarm came from running back Cam Skattebo.

Skattebo yelled his traditional “Wooooo” before taking the field at The Greenbrier Performance Center. It was a reminder that he was cleared to be a full practice participant after his ankle surgery last season.

Sadly, that joy is still delayed for Malik Nabers. However, Wednesday saw the receiver take the right steps to get back on the field as he continues his rehab from ACL/meniscus surgery last year.

Nabers, the second-to-last receiver in line ahead of Odell Beckham Jr., did individual drills during the early portion of camp. He caught passes from Jaxson Dart, showing that he could plant and cut on routes.

He then participated in offense-only install drills before standing to the side for full team drills. Fifty minutes into practice, Nabers walked back inside the facility only to return after practice to play catch with Dart.

It wasn’t much but it was enough. Enough to hope Nabers is getting healthy and the Giants can dream of him doing more things. For now, the message is what the 1980s R&B song “Mama Used to Say” declared: Take your time, young man.

“We got a good plan in place, so as long as everything goes as planned, we’ll listen to Malik and his body,” general manager Joe Schoen said before practice.

“Again, hopefully he’ll be ready and we’ll see how it plays out. But no predictions right now, just because we have a long way to go, still a lot of camp.”

The tough truth is seeing Nabers doesn’t mean we know when we’ll see him fully himself. There’s no timetable for his return, yet. Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday he’s not scheduled to do a full practice for a little while.

Week 1 is the goal for Nabers to return, but it’s not a firm goal. Everything depends on Nabers’ body and the Giants’ ramp-up plan having no setbacks.

“We have plans each day,” Harbaugh said. “So, we’ll have a plan [Thursday], how much he’s supposed to do, and then see how he feels when he’s out there. If you push it a little bit, or you pull it back a little bit, that could happen from day to day.”

It’s the guessing game looming over the entire camp. And if you need a reminder of what Nabers means on offense, consider these numbers.

Dart’s longest completion last season? 44 yards. Among quarterbacks who started at least nine games last season, only Justin Fields (42 yards) had a lower season-high completion.

Nabers’ two touchdowns last season? Second most among Giants receivers, not including running backs or tight ends. And Nabers did that in just four games.

Those Giants receivers totaled seven touchdowns last season. Nabers, by himself, had seven as a rookie.

That’s why it was encouraging seeing Nabers do something besides stand out. Just his presence alone carried a different energy that encouraged his teammates, who can’t wait for his full return.

“There’s an aura that he has on the field that is exhilarating,” Dart said. “It makes me happy, it makes everybody happy just to see him out there.”

Dart’s joy probably came from realizing this is the most time he’s gotten reps with his No. 1 target. He had just one week and barely two quarters of time with Nabers before the receiver got hurt in Week 4 last season.

That’s why playing catch after practice was beneficial. Anything to build some chemistry that’s still very new yet critical for the Giants’ future.

“I think that will help mold our relationship into what we want it to be,” Dart said. “He’s obsessed with this game, and he’s attacking it the right way.”

The Giants can only hope so. Nabers’ progress matters more than anything for Dart’s first full season as a starter and Harbaugh’s first as Giants head coach.

It was great to hear Skattebo yell and make it through a full practice again. It’ll be even better when Nabers can also raise the potential of this season — even if it takes a while.

Harbaugh said: “I think you just see where it goes because we want him to be at his best. So, when he’s ready to be at his best, he’ll be at his best."

Reps on reps on reps

John Harbaugh's practices are notorious for being grueling and tough. The Giants got their first taste of that running a lot of reps Wednesday at their first practice.

For Harbaugh, the grind is about being ready for Sept. 13 when the team opens the season. So even this early, he's evaluating how the Giants look even while practicing without pads.

"We're chasing execution," Harbaugh said. "We're at the stage now we're getting ready for the games. I mean, that's that's what practice is for...We're here to prepare for the games that we're going to play. The plays we call, how we practice, all those things. We're not just running plays out here to run plays . . . that's why we want to keep our plays to ourselves. So that's what we're evaluating, to execute."

The Giants have three more days of practice before a day off Sunday, then they have six straight days of practice at The Greenbrier before flying back to East Rutherford. It's a lot, but remember: the Giants have started flat in their last three season openers. They lost all three without scoring a touchdown.

If revving the engine up early on can change that, then it's all good (as long as it doesn't lead to any injuries). But Harbaugh has support from his players, including All-Pro linebacker Brian Burns. He appreciates Harbaugh expecting players to be prepared, be on time and come ready to work without excuses.

As for Harbaugh's rep for tough practices? Burns welcomed it

"Camp's supposed to be hard. That's how it's supposed to be," Burns said. "We're definitely going to work and I'm looking forward to it."

A Nabers sighting!

Malik Nabers is back — on the practice field, at least.

The Giants' star receiver mainly did individual, non-contact drills with the receivers on the first day of training camp as he recovers from a torn ACL and meniscus. He didn't do team drills, but he watched off to the side before heading into the locker room 50 minutes into practice. That was part of the Giants' plan to see how things progress day to day. 

Still, his presence was a welcome sight.

“There's an aura that he has on the field that's exhilarating," quarterback Jaxson Dart said of Nabers. "It makes me happy, it makes everybody happy.”

Head coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the Giants aren't rushing their star receiver back.

"You take it one day at a time. Meet the circumstances where we find them every single day," Harbaugh said. "Maybe he'll get way ahead, maybe it won't. You can't really put a timetable on it exactly, I don't think. I think you just see where it goes because we want him to be at his best. So when he's ready to be at his best, he'll be at his best."

Harbaugh said it'll be a while before Nabers is scheduled to participate in a full practice. The Giants have plans for him each day, but things can change based on how he feels. But Harbaugh commended Nabers for the work he's done so far, and it's just a matter of seeing slow and steady progress here on out.

Watch: Joe Schoen speaks before practice

Giants GM Joe Schoen addressed the media before the team took the field for the first time at training camp. Some of the highlights:

Malik Nabers will do some work at practice, but there's still no timetable for his recovery. The Giants have a plan, but they'll listen to his body.

Cam Skattebo is "good to go" from his ankle rehab and will do everything. Schoen also shared his reaction to Skattebo's botched backflip heard around the world at Fanatics Fest.

And here's Schoen on Dart and Year 2 expectations:

What in the world is the PUP list?

Players put on the active/physically unable to perform list — or PUP — at the start of training camp have football-related injuries, like those on IR, but count against the active 90-man roster.

These players can participate in all team activities other than practice and can be activated at any point during training camp when they are medically cleared. We've already seen several players for both the Giants and Jets who were placed on PUP last week be cleared prior to the teams' first full practices on Wednesday.

A player cannot be placed on the PUP list after he has practiced once or played in a preseason game.

Players on the active/PUP list at the end of the preseason must either be activated to the 53-man roster or moved to the reserve/PUP list during roster cutdowns.

If placed on the reserve/PUP list, a player does not count against the active roster but must miss at least four games.

A rule change this season allows these players to begin a 21-day practice window period after their team’s second regular-season game but he is still unable to join the active roster until after Week 5 of the regular season at the earliest.

How did Harbaugh choose The Greenbrier?

You might be wondering: How did John Harbaugh settle on The Greenbrier as a place to start his first training camp? Besides the fact that the Giants' practice facility is undergoing renovations.

Turns out it's a new experience for Harbaugh, too. He never had a Ravens camp there but he once considered the West Virginia resort. The Saints held training camp there from 2014-16. The Texans and Browns have held camp there before and the Patriots have also used the facilities. The 49ers and Cardinals used it as a temporary practice in between consecutive East Coast games.

So what does The Greenbrier offer? A sports performance center that spans 55,000 square feet and has two grass fields, a FieldTurf field, meeting rooms, a weight room, a hydrotherapy room, locker rooms for players and coaches and more. Not to mention fine dining and comfortable sleeping quarters.

Not bad, right? Here's what Harbaugh told Giants.com about the location.

"I visited The Greenbrier because we were looking at it for the Ravens one year, so I kind of know the layout, but that's the extent of it. It'll be a little cooler. It's 2,000 feet [elevation], which isn't that high, but that'll be a little bit of a good thing for us from a training standpoint. It should be fun."

Happy birthday, Malik Nabers

Today is Malik Nabers’ birthday. It's almost fitting it's the first day of vets reporting to training camp since Nabers’ health looms over everything with the Giants

At 23, Nabers is obviously a piece of the Giants’ future. But after tearing his ACL and meniscus in Week 4 last season, his present is what matters. As in will he be able to practice at some point during camp?

Today is indeed a day to celebrate Nabers. His rookie year was one of the best in team history. His Week 2 performance against the Cowboys last season showed why his ceiling remains high. But his birthday also comes with more patience for Giants fans eager to celebrate this new year with him healthy, whenever he's cleared.

A training camp road less traveled now

The last time the Giants went away for training camp, it was an NFL norm. That was back in 2012, fresh off their last Super Bowl victory, when they bid farewell to the University at Albany where they had spent most of their summers since 1996 (the exception was 2011 they held training camp at their new home facility at the Meadowlands, mainly because the lockout had prevented adequate planning for the preseason).

"I'm thinking, wow, this is an opportunity for a young team with a new staff to spend 10, 12 days together in West Virginia in the hills, you know, and just be about football for 10, 12 days together and eat dinner together and have an off day together, all the things that you kind of do to just bond and get to know each other," Harbaugh said in the spring when the Giants announced they would be going to West Virginia. "If it can help our team become closer, I think that's a good thing... I see all the reasons for getting away from it. It makes a lot of sense. There is something about it that's really a helpful part of it, too. So that's kind of probably why I'm excited about seeing how it goes and trying it."

This year, as they embark to the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, they are something of a football anomaly.

The 2026 Giants are one of just six teams that will hold a significant portion of their training camp away from their regular-season facility. The only others are:

• Bills (St. John Fisher University in Rochester, N.Y.)
• Cowboys (Oxnard, Calif.)
• Colts (Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.)
• Kansas City (Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.)
• Steelers (St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.).

The Rams will technically be “away” at Loyola Marymount University, but that location is within the Los Angeles city limits so not really on the road.

The 26 teams that are staying home are tied with 2021 and 2025 for the most in any year since 2000, excluding the 2020 pandemic season when all 32 teams held training camps at their own facilities. Covid seemed to be a turning point for training camp because prior to it there was typically a half to a third of the teams that went away for their summer work. Since then there haven’t been more than eight that have done it in any single season.

Per the NFL, here is a look at the number of teams that have stayed at home for training camp each season since 2000:

2000: 10 of 31 (32%)
2001: 9 of 31 (29%)
2002: 10 of 32 (31%)
2003: 14 of 32 (44%)
2004: 15 of 32 (47%)
2005: 17 of 32 (53%)
2006: 15 of 32 (47%)
2007: 16 of 32 (50%)
2008: 15 of 32 (47%)
2009: 17 of 32 (53%)
2010: 17 of 32 (53%)
2011: 19 of 32 (59%)
2012: 19 of 32 (59%)
2013: 20 of 32 (63%)
2014: 20 of 32 (63%)
2015: 21 of 32 (66%)
2016: 20 of 32 (63%)
2017: 21 of 32 (66%)
2018: 21 of 32 (66%)
2019: 22 of 32 (69%)
2020: 32 of 32 (100%)
2021: 26 of 32 (81%)
2022: 25 of 32 (78%)
2023: 25 of 32 (78%)
2024: 24 of 32 (75%)
2025: 26 of 32 (81%)
2026: 26 of 32 (81%)

The Giants' training camp travel history

The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia where the Giants will hold the first stages of their training camp this summer with practices starting on Wednesday, is quite a hike from the team’s headquarters in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It’s about 468 miles away, actually.

But that’s not even the farthest the Giants have ever gone for the annual summer rituals of preparing for the upcoming season. While most of their camps have been in the extended New York City area – that includes upstate at the University of Albany and at the Bear Mountain Inn, various sites in suburban New Jersey and Connecticut, and even two years on Long Island at C.W. Post College in 1970 and 1971 – they have also traveled as far away as Vermont, Ohio, Minnesota and Oregon!

Those trips to the Pacific Northwest took place in 1954, 1955 and 1958, so it’s not as if they were ever traveling on comfy jumbo jets. Those first two were the first two seasons Jim Lee Howell coached the team, taking over from Steve Owen, and the Giants went a combined 13-10-1. In 1958, though, the Giants went 9-3 and lost to the Colts in “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” Add that to the list of ways that NFL title game altered the course of the league. Had the Giants won the championship they might have returned to Oregon the following year to try to replicate their success. Instead, thanks to Alan Ameche’s overtime touchdown plunge, they never returned there again.

Here is a look at where the Giants have held most of their training camp throughout their history, from the inaugural one right in New York City in 1925 to their first real getaway camp in Pennsylvania in 1926 right up to this one in the mountains of West Virginia:

1925: New York City

1926: The Hotel Lake Ariel, Lake Ariel, Penn.

1927-28: New York City

1929: Asbury Park, NJ

1930-31: New York City

1932: Magnetic Springs, Ohio

1933-34: Pompton Lakes, NJ

1935-38: Blue Hills Country Club, Pearl River, NY

1939, 1941-24, 1946-48: UW Superior, Superior, Wisc.

1940: Blue Hills Country Club, Pearl River, NY

1943-45: Bear Mountain Inn, Bear Mountain, NY

1949-51: Saranac High School, Saranac Lake, NY

1952-53: Gustavus-Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn.

1954-55, 1958: Willamette University, Salem, Oregon

1956-57, 1959-60: St Michael’s College, Winooski, Vermont

1961-69, 1974: Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn.

1970-71: C.W. Post College, Brookville, NY

1972-73: Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ

1975-87: Pace University, Pleasantville, NY

1988-95: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ

1996-2010, 2012: University at Albany, Albany, NY

2011, 2013-25: Quest Diagnostics Training Center, East Rutherford, NJ

2026: The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulpher Springs, WV