SANTA CLARA, Calif. — If the Giants’ season had not gone so horribly wrong, the substandard place-kicking of rookie Aldrick Rosas would be more of a story and, perhaps, he might not be their kicker down the stretch of the season.
Quietly, amid the losing, Rosas has been consistent in his inconsistency. When he went wide right on a 34-yard field-goal attempt — that’s right, a 34-yarder — in the third quarter in Sunday’s 31-21 loss to the 49ers, it continued a steady downward trend. Rosas has now missed a field goal in five consecutive games in which he has attempted one — he did not have an attempt against the Chargers. He hit from 47 and 42 yards against the 49ers but then could not make a 34-yard try. Rosas also hit the game-opening kickoff out of bounds.
For the season, Rosas is now 10-for-15 on field goals.
“We’ve got to make kicks,’’ coach Ben McAdoo said.
When Garrett Celek scored just before halftime, it was the 10th consecutive game a tight end has scored a touchdown against the Giants this season, at NFL record. … TE Evan Engram caught his fifth touchdown pass of the season, tying a Giants rookie tight record he now shares with Bob Tucker, who had five TDs in 1970.
Justin Pugh returned to start at right tackle after missing last week’s loss to the Rams after his back locked up the previous game. Pugh struggled in the first half blocking DE Ronald Blair and in the second half, when his back acted up again, was replaced by Bobby Hart.
“My back is not where it needs to be for me to play in an NFL game,’’ Pugh said. “It started locking up on me in the first series. I need time to let it heal up and I thought I gave it enough time, and obviously I didn’t.
“I probably should have learned from what I did to my knee last year trying to come back too early. I was feeling good this week in practice and I woke up [Sunday] morning feeling good, but really going out and playing real football today was the true test and it didn’t pass that test.’’
RG D.J. Fluker went out in the third quarter with a knee injury but was able to return. … DT Damon Harrison was helped off in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
DE Olivier Vernon returned after missing four straight games with a high ankle sprain. After a slow start, Vernon heated up and tipped the ball to himself in the third quarter for an interception of C.J. Beathard. It was the first interception in Vernon’s NFL career.
There was no chance of rookie QB Davis Webb getting any mop-up work, as he was one of the seven inactive players. Webb has not been in uniform for any game this season.
Kelvin Sheppard, signed Tuesday, not only was active, he started at middle linebacker. Sheppard, 29, played in all 16 games for the Giants in 2016, starting 11 of them in the middle of their defense. Sheppard’s fresh legs showed, as he made five tackles in the first half. Sheppard, though, strained his groin in the third quarter and was forced out.