When has Leon Hall ever been in this situation?
“Never would be the answer,’’ he said Wednesday.
The veteran Giants cornerback, in his ninth NFL season, never has been healthy and inactive, not in his previous eight years with the Bengals, not at Michigan and not in high school in California. This is all new to Hall, who was not in uniform for any of the past four games as the Giants have gone younger in the secondary.
Hall signed a one-year contract to provide insurance and leadership in the defensive backfield, but he has been phased out with Trevin Wade and Coty Sensabaugh getting snaps as reserve cornerbacks.
“I wouldn’t call it frustration,’’ Hall said. “I would obviously prefer to be out there, without a doubt. At this point, I’m just gonna keep working and see where it takes me. I believe if I keep doing that, in time things will work out.’’
Hall has worked in practice at safety, and that could be his pathway to the field with Nat Berhe in the concussion protocol and the only depth behind starters Landon Collins and rookie Andre Adams being Eric Pinkins, signed this week off the practice squad.
“It’s part of the reason I like to learn all DB positions just so I can be able to, the more you can do type of thing,’’ Hall said. “I’m comfortable with the playbook, I think that helps.’’
Left guard Justin Pugh (knee) participated in the jog-through practice on a limited basis. He’s missed the last three games and had a setback last week when he rushed himself back. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection Friday, which caused some swelling in his knee, preventing him from traveling to Cleveland.
“I feel good where I’m headed,’’ Pugh said. “I’m going in the right direction.’’
Pugh is not expected to play against the Steelers, but is likely to return to face the Cowboys.
WR Dwayne Harris (wrist), OL Brett Jones (calf), OL Marshall Newhouse (knee) participated in the jog-though on a limited basis. Berhe and LB Mark Herzlich are in the concussion protocol.
Adding more fuel to his comeback fire, Jason Pierre-Paul was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his wrecking-crew performance in Cleveland. JPP had a career-high three sacks, seven tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery he returned 43 yards for a touchdown. Pierre-Paul won the award twice in 2011 and in Week 11 in 2013.
Ben McAdoo said he is not worried about Robbie Gould, even after Gould missed three extra points the past two games. The reason for the confidence? “His track record, consistency,’’ McAdoo said.
McAdoo on Peyton Manning’s visit on Tuesday: “It was great. Anytime you have a chance to have one of the best players to ever play the game in your building, you want to take advantage of it.’’
Safety Christian Bryant, a former seventh-round pick of the Rams from Ohio State, was signed to the practice squad.