David Wilson Better, But Still Not Cleared; Giants Waive Dan Connor

 Posted by
Nov 042013
 
David Wilson (22), Eli Manning (10), New York Giants (September 15, 2013)

David Wilson and Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

November 4, 2013 New York Giants Injury Report – David Wilson Better, But Still Not Cleared: Not practicing on Monday were RB David Wilson (neck) and CB Corey Webster (groin).

Wilson underwent another MRI on Monday to determine if his neck has improved. Wilson originally injured his neck on October 6 in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants announced that while Wilson’s herniated disc has significantly improved, Wilson has not yet been cleared to resume football activities. The Giants say Wilson will undergo another evaluation in several weeks.

Giants Waive LB Dan Connor Off of Injured Reserve: The Giants waived LB Dan Connor off of Injured Reserve on Monday. Conner was placed on Injured Reserve on September 12 with a neck injury (burner).

Giants Sign CB Brandon Jones to Practice Squad: The Giants signed CB Brandon Jones to the Practice Squad on Monday. The Giants terminated the Practice Squad contract of RB Jeremy Wright last week.

November 4, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Monday press conference are available at Giants.com.

November 4, 2013 New York Giants Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Monday’s media Q&As with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on the New York Giants Offense: Giants offense headed in new direction? by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: Is Eli Manning finding groove with shorter drops and attempts? by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

New York Giants Sign RB Peyton Hillis and RB Jeremy Wright

 Posted by
Oct 162013
 
RB Peyton Hillis – © USA TODAY Sports Image

RB Peyton Hillis – © USA TODAY Sports Image

New York Giants Sign RB Peyton Hillis: The Giants signed RB/FB Peyton Hillis on Wednesday. Hillis has spent time with the Broncos, Browns, Chiefs, and Buccaneers since being drafted in 2008. The Buccaneers released him in September. As previously reported, the Giants waived/injured RB Da’Rel Scott on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, Mike Sullivan, was with the Giants from 2004-2011.

“I’m coming in with an open heart and open mind,” Hillis said, “and I’m looking to do whatever the coaching staff needs me to do to help this team win…From what I understand, a lot of the terminology is the same as it was in Tampa, and so it may be a quick process. Maybe, maybe not. We’ll see. A lot of the plays are the same. It’s just different terminology. As long as you get the terminology down, you’ll be fine. Here though, it seems like it’s the same as Tampa’s, so it shouldn’t be that big of a (transition).”

Hillis had his best season in 2010 when he rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 61 passes for 477 yards and two touchdowns for the Browns.

“I firmly believe I never had too much of an opportunity after I left Cleveland,” Hillis said. “I was behind Jamaal Charles at Kansas City. I didn’t get too much playing time. I felt when I got in I did well, and then I was in Tampa and never really got to touch the field because of Doug Martin. He’s pretty good. I’m just here to do whatever I can to help the team win. I think that this is a good team that can turn it around.”

“I came at peace with myself and my situation long ago,” Hillis said. “All I can do is what I can right now, so I can’t look in the past. I’ve got to keep on going.”

New York Giants Sign RB Jeremy Wright to the Practice Squad: The Giants signed RB Jeremy Wright to the Practice Squad on Wednesday. Wright is a rookie free agent who spent three weeks with the Giants in May 2013 before being waived. As previously reported, the Giants terminated the Practice Squad contract of LB LB Darin Drakeford on Tuesday. 

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Minnesota Media Conference Call: The transcript of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s media conference call with the Minnesota press is available at Giants.com.

QB Eli Manning’s Media Minnesota Conference Call: The transcript of QB Eli Manning’s media conference call with the Minnesota press is available at Giants.com.

Article on RB David Wilson: Sitting out best for David Wilson, team by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Article on WR Rueben Randle: Giants’ Rueben Randle insists he’s on the same page with Eli Manning despite flurry of interceptions by The Star-Ledger

Article on FB John Conner: John Conner’s impact seen in ground game by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

David Wilson Injury Update; Hakeem Nicks Trade Rumors Persist

 Posted by
Oct 152013
 
Da'Rel Scott, New York Giants (October 10, 2013)

RB Da’Rel Scott – © USA TODAY Sports Images

RB David Wilson Injury Update: According to press reports, RB David Wilson visited with a neck specialist on Monday in Los Angeles to discuss his injured neck. The injury has supposedly been diagnosed as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) and a herniated disc. As of now, surgery is not recommended. It is believed that Wilson will have to sit out the next 3-4 weeks and see how the injury responds to treatment. If Wilson’s neck does not improve, the Giants could decided to shut Wilson down for the remainder of the season. In some cases, spinal stenosis can be career ending, but it is not believed that Wilson’s malady is that severe.

Hakeem Nicks Trade Rumors Persist: Reports and rumors that the Giants may be willing to listen to trade offers for WR Hakeem Nicks persist. Nicks will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and it is widely believed that he will be seeking a huge pay day on the open market. And Nicks has not gone out of his way to say he definitely wants to return. Unless the Giants decide to slap the Franchise Tag on him, they may risk losing him and only possibly receiving a compensatory draft pick in return.

The NFL’s trade deadline is October 29.

Newsday is reporting that “a source familiar with the team’s thinking said consideration is being given to moving the wide receiver” before the deadline. When the source was asked if such trade talk was “ludicrous” or “imminent,” the source responded, “Probably right in the middle.” However, the source also said he does not think Nicks will be traded.

The Daily News is reporting that a source indicated that the Giants do not expect to trade Nicks, but the source did tell the paper that the team will listen to offers for the receiver or any veteran player.

Kim Jones of The NFL Network tweeted on Monday, “There is no truth to rumors the Giants are shopping Hakeem Nicks or open to trading him.” Bob Papa of Giants and Sirius Radio, also says the Giants are not shopping Nicks.

Roster Moves – Da’Rel Scott Waived/Injured: The Giants waived/injured RB Da’Rel Scott on Tuesday. Scott injured his hamstring late in the game against the Chicago Bears last Thursday. The Giants did not immediately fill Scott’s roster spot.

The Giants also terminated the Practice Squad contract of LB Darin Drakeford, who was signed on October 8th.

New York Giants Work Out Running Backs: According to press reports, the Giants worked out running backs Ryan Torain (ex-Giants), Peyton Hillis (ex-Buccaneers), D.J. Ware (ex-Buccaneers), and Jeremy Wright (ex-Giants) on Tuesday. Ware also played for the Giants from 2007-2011; Wright is a rookie free agent who was with the Giants for a few weeks in May. All four backs reportedly will have team physicals on Wednesday.

DE Mathias Kiwanuka on ESPN Radio: The audio of Tuesday’s ESPN Radio interview with DE Mathias Kiwanuka is available at ESPN.com.

S Antrel Rolle on WFAN: The audio of Tuesday’s WFAN interview with S Antrel Rolle is available at CBSNewYork.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: QB greats: ‘Insane’ for Giants to replace Eli in draft by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on RB Michael Cox: Giants rookie Cox runs solo as absences mount by John DeMarzo of The New York Post

Article on WR Rueben Randle: Rueben Randle, Giants puzzle piece by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com