Chris Olave didn’t practice at all this week, but the Saints aren’t ready to rule him out for Sunday’s game against the Giants.
Olave has been listed as questionable to play due to the ankle injury that’s sidelined him the last few days. Olave has not missed a game yet this season and he caught a touchdown in last Sunday’s win over the Panthers.
Running back Jamaal Williams (groin) is also listed as questionable, although he did participate in practice this week.
Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee) rounds out the questionable group. Defensive end Isaiah Foskey (quad), running back Kendre Miller (ankle), and defensive end Payton Turner (toe) will not play this weekend.
Quarterback Taysom Hill (foot, left hand) and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (thigh) are off the injury report and set to play after sitting out last weekend.
Tight end Darren Waller returned to practice for the Giants this week, but the team isn’t saying whether he’ll play against the Saints on Sunday.
Waller is listed as questionable to be activated off injured reserve. Waller has been out since suffering a hamstring injury on October 29.
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) and left guard Justin Pugh (calf) are also listed as questionable. Lawrence returned last Sunday after missing one game.
Right tackle Evan Neal has missed the last four games with an ankle injury and he returned to the practice field this week. He is listed as doubtful to make his return to the lineup, however, so it looks like Tyre Phillips will get another start.
Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said this summer that he’d spoken to edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux “to be at the top of everything” as he prepared for his second NFL season and it’s safe to say that Martindale has been pleased with how Thibodeaux has reacted to that conversation.
Thibodeaux said at the time that he liked hearing what Martindale had to say because the coach told him he can “take the league by storm.” Thibodeaux has 44 tackles, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery this season, so he’s making Martindale’s prediction come true.
On Thursday, Martindale said that was a credit to how hard Thibodeaux has worked to become a player who can see what offenses want to do before plays are even underway.
“I said that the guy has no ceiling. You remember me saying that before,” Martindale said. “The reason why he doesn’t have a ceiling is because he doesn’t allow himself to have a ceiling. He’s in here working every day. . . . To me, he’s a finisher at the football, whether it’s a sack, a strip sack, or the play you saw on Monday night when we had [Packers quarterback Jordan] Love held up and he dug the ball out. He’s leading the defense. I mean, he’s a vocal leader out there. Like I already said, it’s crazy, because the guy is only 22 years old. He’s becoming that football savant in the NFL where he sees things before they happen. He knows what’s coming. That’s a testament to, like I said, he and [outside linebackers coach] Drew Wilkins, and how hard they study the game. It’s fun to watch.”
Thibodeaux has three sacks and two forced fumbles during the Giants’ current three-game winning streak and staying hot through the end of the season will leave the Giants feeling good about what the future holds for the 2022 first-round pick.
Giants tight end Darren Waller was officially limited in his first practice after being designated to return from injured reserve.
Waller has been out with a hamstring injury since Week 8. Via Jordan Raanan of ESPN, Waller said on Thursday that he’s “on track” to play in Sunday’s contest against New Orleans after his first practice went well.
In eight games this season, Waller has 36 receptions for 384 yards with a touchdown.
The Giants also added linebacker Isaiah Simmons (ankle) to the injury report as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.
Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (shoulder), defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), offensive tackle Evan Neal (ankle), and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring) all remained limited.
Defensive end Azeez Ojulari (shoulder) was upgraded to full while receiver Parris Campbell (knee) remained full.
The Giants offense could get a key part back in the lineup as soon as this Sunday.
The team announced on Thursday that tight end Darren Waller has been designated for return from injured reserve. Waller will practice with the team and can be activated at any point in the next 21 days, but he won’t be able to return if he is not activated in that window.
Waller has been out since Week Eight with a hamstring injury, but his importance to the offense is underscored by the fact that he remains second on the team with 36 catches and 384 receiving yards.
The Giants will have to activate Waller by Saturday afternoon in order for him to play against the Saints this weekend.
