EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Health has been a problem for the New York Giants in recent years. They had an astonishing 22 players finish last season on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and were declared the most injured team in the NFL for the third straight year by Football Outsiders.
It prompted major changes by the Giants this offseason. New coach Ben McAdoo even mentioned Thursday on the opening day of training camp that one of his summer goals is to “get out of camp healthy.” They’re going to try to accomplish that by being smart early. The Giants first day with full pads is not scheduled until Tuesday, which follows an off day.
The Giants are starting from a much stronger baseline this season. Only three players will begin training camp on PUP, barring any unexpected occurrences during Thursday afternoon's conditioning tests. They are defensive tackles Damon Harrison (knee) and Jay Bromley (ankle) and linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring). None of the three injuries are believed to be serious.
Being on the PUP list allows Harrison, Bromley and Thomas to return to practice whenever they’re ready. All three are expected to be back relatively quickly.
Wide receiver Victor Cruz will not join them on the sideline. Cruz passed the Giants conditioning tests and will not be placed on PUP. He will try to complete his first practice in close to a year on Friday.
This is a relief after the past two years. Cruz missed all of last season with a calf injury and most of the previous year with a torn patellar tendon in his knee. But he has been training hard this summer without limitation.
Harrison had some swelling in his knee. It’s not uncommon for the 350-pound offseason acquisition, according to a source. The Jets had eased off Harrison in recent years because of fluid in his knee.
Bromley had surgery to remove a bone spur earlier this summer, but he's begun to train in recent weeks and is close to ready.
McAdoo also wanted to see Thursday afternoon the progress of several other players who were returning from injuries this spring. Among them were running back Orleans Darkwa (fractured leg), safety Cooper Taylor (sports hernia) and offensive lineman Ryan Seymour (broken hand).
The Giants are scheduled to hold their first training camp practice Friday at 10:40 a.m. (ET).