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Henry Hynoski - © USA TODAY Sports Images

Henry Hynoski Injures Knee: During today’s first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice, FB Henry Hynoski was carted off of the field after injuring his left knee. According to WFAN, Hynoski banged knees with RB Andre Brown. Hynoski will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

He kind of got (his leg rolled up on) and so we are taking a look at that,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “I said a few prayers and I’ll continue until I hear what it is.”

“I didn’t see it,” said QB Eli Manning. “I handed the ball off and just saw him on the ground after. I don’t know exactly what happened. I haven’t seen the film yet. I don’t know how severe the injury is, so hopefully it’s not too bad and he can be back either for the spring or at least for training camp. I don’t know the results yet.”

Injury Update: Aside from the injury to Hynoski, not practicing today due to rehabilitation from previous injuries and/or surgeries were TE Larry Donnell (lower leg), OC David Baas (elbow), OG Chris Snee (hip), DT Markus Kuhn (knee), and CB Terrell Thomas (knee).

“There’s no hurry. There’s no rush,” said Thomas. “There wasn’t one last year. I was just ahead of schedule last year. This year, we’re kind of just taking it a little bit slower as far as rehab, building the foundation. I’m doing everything already. It’s just doing it a little bit more slower and not in a rush to get out there for OTAs or mini-camp.”

LB Jacquian Williams (knee) was limited to individual drills.

“Just kind of taking my time with it,” Williams said who suffered a PCL injury last season. “It is a day to day thing. It is getting better. Definitely better than it was. That’s all…Right now my focus is just on getting back out there. We had some guys that got released, so older guys have an opportunity to step up. I just take it day by day and see how it goes when I am out there.”

Hakeem Nicks a No-Show for First OTA: Although he has been participating in the offseason program to date, WR Hakeem Nicks did not participate in today’s OTA practice. The OTA practices are “voluntary” but both Head Coach Tom Coughlin and QB Eli Manning sounded surprised that Nicks was not there.

When Coughlin was asked why Nicks was absent, Coughlin responded, “I don’t know. He should be here…Yeah, sure I (expected him to be here). I expect everybody here. We’re trying to get our team better.”

“There was no reason to think he wasn’t going to be here.” said Manning. “You’ve still got to work on your timing. You’ve still got to work on the basics and everybody needs it. I need the basics. How many times have I thrown a hitch in my life? Or a curl route? I’ve still got to do it. I’ve still got to get those things and work them, but it is good to have other guys in there running routes and getting your timing down with other guys. That’s how you look at it, but you’d still like to have all your guys out there. We all need to work. We all need to practice. We all need to improve on things.”

First OTA in the Books: The first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice was held today. The second will be held tomorrow. For a good overview of today’s session, see Giants OTA #1 Practice Report by Patricia Traina of InsideFootball.com. Video highlights are also available at Giants.com.

The remaining OTA practices will be held on May 29-31 and June 3-7. OTA practices are voluntary but participation is encouraged by Head Coach Tom Coughlin. The Giants are currently in the final phase of their offseason workout program. During this final phase, no live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permissible.

Giants Sign OG Eric Herman: The Giants have signed 7th round draft pick OG Eric Herman. The only unsigned draft picks now are OL Justin Pugh (1st round) and QB Ryan Nassib (4th round).

Giants May Re-Sign WR Ramses Barden: According to The Daily News, unrestricted free agent WR Ramses Barden will take a physical with the team today and if he passes the physical, the Giants may re-sign him before the end of the day.

The Daily News says the Giants had some interest in re-signing Barden earlier this offseason to a 1-year, veteran minimum-type deal, but Barden wanted to explore other options. With no other teams seriously pursuing him, Barden decided to come back home. The Daily News reports discussions between the Giants and Barden resumed sometime in the last week.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Press Conference: The transcript and video of today’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin are available at Giants.com.

Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video clips of today’s media Q&As with the following players are available at Giants.com:

• QB Eli Manning (Video)
• WR Jerrel Jernigan (Video)
• WR Louis Murphy (Video)
• OG Chris Snee (Video)
• DE Justin Tuck (Video)
• LB Aaron Curry (Video)
• CB Terrell Thomas (Video)

Article on the Wide Receiving Corps: Jernigan, Murphy Step Up to the Plate by Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on the Defensive Tackles: Giants Unveil New DT Rotation at OTA by Dan Salomone by Giants.com

Articles on the Linebacking Corps:

• LB Dan Connor Competes for Starting Spot by Dan Salomone by Giants.com
• Curry Candid About Disappointing Career Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Johnathan Hankins - © USA TODAY Sports Images

Giants Hold OTA Practices on Wednesday and Thursday: The Giants will hold their first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The remaining OTA practices will be held on May 29-31 and June 3-7. OTA practices are voluntary but participation is encouraged by Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

The Giants are currently in the final phase of their offseason workout program. This final “phase three” began this week and will culminate three weeks from now with the final OTA practices. No live contact is permitted during “phase three” practices, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permissible.

The Giants will hold a mandatory mini-camp from June 11-13. This will be the last team activity until players report to training camp on July 26.

Article on OL Justin Pugh: NY Giants OL Justin Pugh is Ready to Learn from Teammates by Patricia Traina of Yahoo! Sports

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Arizona State Coaches Study Coughlin by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com

Charles Woodson – Photo by USA Today Sports Images

Giants Make Three Roster Moves: The Giants made three roster moves yesterday. They waived/injured TE Michael Palmer and CB Antonio Dennard. They also signed TE Morgan Newton.

Palmer, an unrestricted free agent from the Falcons, was signed last week after impressing at the rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis. Dennard was signed to a reserve/future deal in January after spending most of 2012 on the Jaguars’ practice squad. Newton, a rookie from Kentucky, was at the mini-camp on a tryout basis.

Because of these moves, we have updated the Transactions, Roster Analysis, Roster, and Depth Chart sections of the website.

Giants Still Interested in CB/S Charles Woodson?: The agent for unrestricted free agent CB/S Charles Woodson said yesterday that the Giants are still interested in his client. “The Giants have just put their toe in the water again for Charles Woodson,” said Woodson’s agent.

In early March, ESPN reported that the Giants, Seahawks, Dolphins, and Jets were interested in Woodson. The Daily News is reporting that back in March, Woodson’s asking price was too high for the Giants. The paper is also now reporting that a Giants’ team source says that there is nothing imminent with Woodson and that no visit has been scheduled.

The 36-year old Woodson was released by the Green Bay Packers in February. He has played 15 seasons in the NFL, including eight with the Raiders and seven with the Packers. Recent reports say the 49ers, Broncos, Panthers, and Raiders have expressed some interest in Woodson.

Giants Still Interested in RB Tim Hightower?: The Washington Post is reporting that the Giants remain in the mix for unrestricted free agent RB Tim Hightower. The Giants have been flirting with Hightower since March and he reportedly visited the team in early May. The Post says the Giants are expected to meet with Hightower again “in a couple weeks.”

Hightower has not played in a regular-season game since tearing an ACL in his left knee in October 2011. The Redskins, who released Hightower in August 2012, are also still interested in him.

Freeney Still Interested in the Giants, But…: Back in late February, unrestricted free agent DE Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts) expressed interest in playing for the Giants. “I grew up a Giants fan, actually,” said Freeney. “All my life. So that would be a dream.”

Freeney’s father indicated yesterday that Freeney would still like to play for the Giants. “Talking to him, he would love to be with the Giants,” said Freeney’s dad. “The Giants unfortunately don’t have the money for it. They’re broke.”

It is not known if the Giants are interested in Freeney.

Cribbs Signs with the Raiders: Unrestricted free agent WR/Returner Josh Cribbs has signed a 1-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. Per an earlier ProFootball.com report, Cribbs’ decision was down to the Raiders, Giants, Jets, or Lions. Cribbs visited the Giants last week.

After he visited Detroit and before he signed with the Raiders, Cribbs said, “I want a team that’s stable and a team that’s on the verge and missing a piece to become a Super Bowl-caliber team. I want to be with the a team that’s missing (a kick returner); that’s missing a piece of the puzzle to be great.”

Giants.com Q&A With S Cooper Taylor: The transcript of a recent Giants.com interview with S Cooper Taylor is available at Giants.com.

Article on LB Aaron Curry: Aaron Curry Optimistic About Giants Career by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

Article on DE Damontre Moore: Moore Ready to Heed Tuck’s Message by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com

TE Michael Palmer (now #85) – USA Today Sports Images

BBI Giant of the Year Voting Continues: Registered BBI members can cast their vote for the 2012 BBI Giant of the Year here.

The annual award is given to the Giants’ player, coach or member of the front office who most contributed to the team’s success on the field in a given year. The vote is held at the end of each season by members of the BBI community and the award is presented at a ceremony on the practice fields during training camp. For a listing of past winners, see the BBI Giant of the Year section of the website.

Josh Cribbs Could Sign with Giants?: According to ProFootballTalk.com, unrestricted free agent WR/Returner Josh Cribbs will likely sign with one of four teams: the Giants, Jets, Raiders, or Lions. Cribbs visited the Giants last week.

The Month of May for the Giants: The Giants are currently in the last week of “Phase Two” of the offseason workout program. This portion of the program includes on-field workouts that involve individual player instruction and drills as well as limited team drills (i.e., no offensive vs. defense). No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.

“Phase Three” begins next week and will last four weeks. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permissible. The Giants will also hold Organized Team Activity (OTA) workouts on May 22-23 and May 29-31 this month.

QB Eli Manning hopes restricted free agent WR Victor Cruz will return to work very soon. “We get into some real practices next week,” said Manning yesterday. “So hopefully as we get kind of into those live going-against-a-defense practices, he will get back in so we can get back to work.”

Giants Hoping WR Jerrel Jernigan Steps It Up: The Giants have made it clear that it is time for WR Jerrel Jernigan to begin making plays. Jernigan was drafted by the Giants in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft, but he has only caught three passes for 22 yards in his first two years in the NFL.

The Giants envision Jernigan as a weapon out of the slot position.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Jerrel Jernigan and what he can do inside,” said Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride last Friday. “I think it’s about time that he steps up and I think we feel he has enough ability and he’s been here now long enough. Until Victor (Cruz) gets back, he’ll be the main guy inside at the slot position. It’s a chance for him to shine and step forward and do the things that we believe he can do…really it’s JJ inside…It’s going to be a great opportunity for him.”

“Hopefully Victor is back very soon and will play at a high level,” said QB Eli Manning yesterday. “Jerrel’s also got to be able to help us. He has speed, he has skills, been in the system now a number of years so hopefully he can step up and fill a role for us. The more talented guys you have on the team able to make plays for you the better off you’ll be.”

Jersey Number Changes: Per Giants.com, the following players have new jersey uniform numbers:

• WR Jeremy Horne – #13 (Ramses Barden’s old #)
• TE Jamie Childers – #87 (Domenik Hixon’s old #)
• TE Michael Palmer – #85 (Martellus Bennett’s old #)
• OG Eric Herman – #62
• DT Shaun Rogers – #95 (Rocky Bernard’s old #)
• DT Frank Okam – #70
• LB Aaron Curry – #59 (Michael Boley’s old #)
• CB Junior Mertile – #49
• S John Stevenson- #48

For all a listing of all jersey numbers, see the Roster section of the website.

Giants.com Q&A With OL Justin Pugh: The video of a recent Giants.com interview with OL Justin Pugh is available at Giants.com.

Giants.com Q&A With QB Ryan Nassib: The transcript of a recent Giants.com interview with QB Ryan Nassib is available at Giants.com.

Article on OL Justin Pugh: Giants’ Justin Pugh Ready, Willing and Able to Slide to the Right Side by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Article on S Cooper Taylor: Giants Safety Beats Heart Issue by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Quotes: Giants’ Chairman/Executive VP Steve Tisch on LB Aaron Curry: “He’s got such an athletic talent. I know he is going to be very focused in these (OTAs) through training camp. I’m glad we got him. I think he can be a real game-changer.”

QB Eli Manning on QB Ryan Nassib: “Seems like a good kid and talented. Got to see just a few games of film while he was at Syracuse. He is working hard and doing everything he can to learn the system and get up to speed on everything. Look forward to having him in the meeting room and getting to know him.”