The Giants’ depth at safety now is such an issue they are resorting to using offensive players in the secondary during practice. Seriously.
Already thin at safety because of injuries to Darian Thompson and Mykkele Thompson, the Giants now have only two healthy players at the position after Nat Berhe was placed in concussion protocol.
Berhe, who has made two starts this season, did not practice Thursday after complaining of a headache the previous day, leaving the Giants with Landon Collins and rookie Andrew Adams as the only safeties remaining on the active roster and forcing Ben McAdoo to use offensive players at safety in Thursday’s practice — including practice squad receiver Geremy Davis.
Cornerback Leon Hall could slide over in Monday’s game at Minnesota, but the unknown status of cornerbacks Eli Apple (hamstring) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) complicates that potential move.
Adams was signed off the practice squad last week and made his debut against the Redskins, committing a costly fourth-quarter penalty on a blocked punt. Collins said he never worked alongside Adams in the preseason and feels responsible to make up for the continued losses.
“I need to definitely step up when stuff like that happens,” Collins said. “I don’t just stay settled because we need playmakers, and that is what we have to do. … A lot more talking … getting him lined up with things that I see and things that I think are going to happen and being able to let him make plays.”
Adams, a cousin of former defensive tackle Sam Adams, also is cousins with Jets running back Matt Forte, whose house he went to on his off day.
“He gave me words of advice, how to keep improving, how to keep going forward,” Adams said. “It helped me throughout the whole process.”
While it is unlikely the Giants end up using a wide receiver in the secondary, offensive players were notified about the potential emergency situation.
“They said we might, we might not, just [stay] open-minded,” said returner Dwayne Harris, who last played defense in middle school. “I can tackle. I can obviously catch the ball. … I haven’t learned anything on defense yet, haven’t taken a look at the defensive playbook.”
Apple and Rodgers-Cromartie went through warm-ups, but did not practice. McAdoo said it wasn’t a requirement for either player to practice before Monday in order to play.
“I’m happy with the progress, I guess,” Apple said. “Hamstrings, you always got to take it slow. You got to be patient.”
Rashad Jennings (thumb) was limited in practice but able to catch balls during practice after sitting out against the Redskins.
“I think he’s gonna give himself a shot on Monday night,” McAdoo said. “He makes progress every day and looked better than he did last week already.”
Olivier Vernon (wrist) is listed on the injury report but was a full participant in practice. … Marshall Newhouse (calf) did not practice, along with defensive tackle Robert Thomas. However, Thomas said he finally has recovered from an undisclosed illness, currently is working on his conditioning and could be ready to return to practice next week.