EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Giants apparently can breathe a little easier.
Leading receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall seemingly avoided major injuries in a meaningless preseason game.
Coach Ben McAdoo said Tuesday that the team’s wideouts are being listed as day to day after being hurt in the first half of Monday night’s preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns. Despite escaping without a major injury, McAdoo did not rule out playing them in either of the final two preseason games.
One of the NFL’s most dynamic receivers, Beckham underwent an MRI on Tuesday. It revealed the three-time Pro Bowler had a sprained left ankle.
Beckham was hurt after being hit around the knee by defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun after catching a pass. The impact flipped Beckham onto his side and his head bounced off the turf.
The hit was scary and many wondered about the severity of the injury after Beckham ripped off his helmet following the play.
Speaking on a conference call, McAdoo refused to say whether Beckham had a high ankle sprain, which usually takes longer to recover from. The coach added the team will wait to see how the 24-year-old who would like to be the NFL’s highest paid player responds to treatment.
X-Rays on Marshall’s shoulder were also negative and the team would also see how he responds to treatment, the coach said. It was not clear immediately how Marshall was injured.
Beckham stood on the sideline in the second half, wearing street clothes with his ankle wrapped.
McAdoo gave no indications that he would rest either player in the final two preseason games, which is somewhat understandable. The Giants have not scored a touchdown in losing their first two games.
“You have to play the game to get better,” McAdoo said. “On offense, we definitely need to the work.”
The Giants know exactly what Beckham can do. He has led the team in receiving in his first three seasons, catching 101 passes and 10 touchdowns in helping the Giants reach the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2011 season. He has 288 career receptions for 4,122 yards and 35 TDs.
“I know what Odell brings to the table,” McAdoo said Tuesday. “He’s a tremendous player, one of the best in the league, tremendous competitor. But if you have a chance to get everyone out there, playing together, playing with each other, you do it. If you don’t, you don’t. That’s a medical decision.”
NOTES: McAdoo said Eli Manning (10 of 14 for 80 yards) had a good showing in his first outings, but probably wishes he had a couple of throws back. … WR Tavarres King reinjured an ankle Monday night and CB Michael Hunter is in the concussion protocol. … While Geno Smith got much more playing time than Josh Johnson in the fight for the backup QB job, McAdoo said the competition is still open. “We don’t have a timetable on it,” he said.
