This is not a tense time for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. He is entering his ninth NFL season and third with the Giants. The team must make 22 player moves by Saturday at 4 p.m. to get down to the 53-man roster limit, but DRC’s job is secure.
That does not mean this is a business-as-usual weekend for him.
“It’s very hard,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said. “You got guys that come in in the spring, young guys, veteran guys that transfer over to the team and you make friends, you make bonds. Then it’s sad to see a friend, a brother leave like that.
“It’s definitely hard. I don’t like to be in the locker room around this time, just because to see the faces on guys, I mean, it kind of does something to you inside and it hurts you, but it also helps you understand how privileged you are.’’
DRC said young players on the bubble already have approached him, seeking advice.
“I tell them ‘The grind never stops,’ ’’ he said. “Just understand just because one door closes, [doesn’t mean] another one isn’t going to open. You just got to stay focused and believe in yourself. No matter what happens, always believe in yourself.’’
It sounds as if rookie safety Darian Thompson (shoulder) might not be ready for the opener.
“Darian is making some progress,’’ coach Ben McAdoo said. “May see him back in a limited role next week.’’
If Thompson is not available, Nat Berhe would start at free safety against the Cowboys.
Free agent addition Will Johnson came out of the preseason opener with a neck burner and did not play or practice the past three weeks.
“We feel confident we have a decent body of work on Will,’’ McAdoo said.
Johnson, 27, is a blocking fullback/tight end. He spent the past four seasons with the Steelers. There is not another traditional fullback on the roster, but McAdoo said that is not an essential ingredient.
“No, we can get that from other spots,’’ he said.
OL Will Beatty, signed last Wednesday, did not play against the Patriots and will start his comeback by practicing this week.
“We’re going to get him in the mix, get him in a variety of positions, get his legs underneath him, get him into football shape, and get him back practicing,” McAdoo said.
The only injury to come out of the final preseason game was to backup OL Jake Rodgers, who sprained an ankle.
DT Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison will spend his free weekend in New Iberia, La., returning to his hometown to help victims of the flooding that devastated that area. Harrison, along with Lions DE Tyrunn Walker, another native of New Iberia, will hand out school uniforms and serve meals to students and residents hit hard by the flooding.