Perhaps the start of the Giants’ season would not be as dire if outside linebacker Olivier Vernon, their most accomplished pass-rusher, played in the first five games. He did not, though, but he will make his 2018 debut Thursday night against the Eagles, making the Giants’ defense a more formidable unit.
Evan Engram, the pass-catching tight end, will not make it back this week. He tested his sprained right knee during Tuesday’s practice, but a day later was ruled out for a third consecutive game.
Vernon practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and was removed from the injury report, a sign there is no question as to his status for the game. He left practice Aug. 26 with a high ankle sprain.
“That’s the terminator — OV can do it all,’’ defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison said last week. “Can provide some much needed pass rush, as well as be strong on the edges. I think that’s not a discredit to the other guys. OV is just a different animal.’’
Receiver Russell Shepard (neck) was ruled out. Tight end Rhett Ellison is questionable with a foot injury. If he cannot play, and with Engram out again, the Giants could be decimated at tight end. Scott Simonson and Garrett Dickerson are the only two healthy options on the roster.
Kicker Aldrick Rosas, dealing with a quad issue, was listed as limited in Wednesday’s practice, which was a jog-through workout.
Former Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers cleared waivers. He is scheduled to visit Jacksonville, according to ESPN. There are Jaguars connections for Flowers: Tom Coughlin and offensive line coach Pat Flaherty.
The Eagles will play without two defensive starters, DT Haloti Ngata (calf) and S Corey Graham (hamstring). RB Darren Sproles (hamstring) is also out. .. There is no secret for the Giants whom they need to concentrate on when Carson Wentz goes back to pass for the Eagles. The top target on most teams is not a tight end but it is for the Eagles, with Zach Ertz the team leader with 41 receptions for 437 yards.
Hall of Famer and former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan took a look at last week’s loss to the Panthers and noticed “a few calls that were pretty unbelievable from the officiating side’’ that went against the Giants. Coach Pat Shurmur was not a fan of hearing his players on defense rip into the officials after the last-second loss, accentuated by cornerback Janoris Jenkins repeating, “We need better referees’’ over and over again.
“I handled it with them, and the players assured me that that will never happen again,’’ Shurmur said. “Those are excuses. When you talk about officiating, that’s excuse-making and that’s not what we do.”
The NFL, however, did alert the Giants that a penalty should not have been called on safety Landon Collins.
One thing to remember about Eli Manning: Throughout his career, this is when he is at his best. He is 22-5 in October home games. … The toughest task for the Giants on defense will be getting the Eagles off the field. They are second in the NFL in time of possession at 32:51.