Eli Apple’s injured groin hasn’t improved since Sunday and Olivier Vernon’s high ankle sprain doesn’t seem to be making much progress, either.
The two defensive starters both sat out practice Wednesday, raising doubts they will be available Sunday against the Texans. Giants coach Pat Shurmur said he hoped Vernon — the team’s best pass-rusher who has yet to play this season after hurting his ankle in practice on Aug. 26 — would be able to take part in practice in some capacity. But after stretching and lightly jogging, Vernon went off to the side to work with the team’s trainers in the portion of the workout open to the media. Apple was seen riding a bike on the side.
Apple, off to a strong start, left Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys in the third quarter and didn’t return. The third-year cornerback said his groin remains tight and sore. There wasn’t one play when he hurt it, Apple said. It progressively got worse during the game.
“Just got to be smart,” Apple said. “Got to take it day by day, and listen to the coaches, the trainers, listen to your body, and come back stronger.”
Outside linebacker Connor Barwin (knee) also didn’t practice.
A day after the Giants signed fullback Elijhaa Penny off the Cardinals’ practice squad, fellow fullback Shane Smith was waived. To fill his roster spot, former Vikings wide receiver Stacy Coley was claimed off waivers.
Smith struggled in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, twice failing to pick up a blitz in one second quarter series that resulted in two sacks. The 6-foot-2, 234-pound Penny, undrafted in 2016 out of Idaho, is a converted running back who appeared in 16 games for Arizona last year, running for 124 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns, while adding 11 tackles on special teams — the fifth-most by a running back in the NFL.
“He’s a guy that our personnel guys liked on tape,” Shurmur said. “We had a spot and wanted to bring him in and take a look at him. He does what all fullbacks do — he’s a good blocker, he’s got good hands, he can run the ball in a pinch, all the things you look for in a back.”
Tight end Evan Engram (ankle) and wide receiver/return specialist Kaelin Clay (ankle) were limited in Wednesday’s practice.