Daniel Jones already has made one significant change after the firing of offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Like many quarterbacks across the league, the Giants’ starting signal-caller has been wearing a wrist band listing the team’s play calls in practice this week and he is expected to do so in Sunday’s game against the Eagles.
“All of our quarterbacks will be wearing wristbands this week,” head coach Joe Judge said before Friday’s practice. “It’s something a number of our players and coaches have used in the past. We thought it may be helpful with our players just going forward. Just different ways of communicating.”
The Giants have had issues involving their headsets in recent weeks, but Judge replied, “No, it doesn’t,” when asked if the wristband switch reflects “a disconnect” in conveying the proper calls to Jones in the huddle. He also said the team hasn’t “really changed” its play-calling terminology for this week’s game.
Judge hasn’t disclosed whether he or interim coordinator Freddie Kitchens will call plays this week, saying they’re “all working collaboratively.”
Giants safety Xavier McKinney practiced against Eagles rookie receiver DeVonta Smith for three seasons and Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts for two as teammates at Alabama. He called Sunday’s game “a big challenge” for the Giants’ secondary.
“Those guys have been balling,” McKinney told The Post. “We worked together and always made sure to make each other better. But they were always guys that I loved going up against, practicing against them, because I always knew they were going to make me better and challenge me as a player.
“We had some very competitive practices against each other. I have a tremendous amount of respect for them, but it’s the same as any other week. It definitely won’t be easy, but we’ll be prepared for Sunday’s game. I’m looking forward to facing them.”
McKinney added he’s “not surprised at all” about Smith’s impact as a rookie. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, who was selected by the Eagles after they moved ahead of the interested Giants in the draft, has 46 receptions for 664 yards and four touchdowns through 11 games.
“I’ve always known he was great, what kind of a player and a competitor he is, and it wouldn’t be hard for him to do what he’s doing right away in the league,” McKinney said. “I expect a lot more from him, actually. I’m not surprised by anything he does. I saw it every day in practice [at Alabama].”
WR Sterling Shepard (quad), TE Kaden Smith (knee) and FB Cullen Gillaspia (calf) have been ruled out for Sunday, while WR Kadarius Toney (quad) and TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle) are listed as doubtful. RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) and WR John Ross (quad) were limited in practice and are questionable.
Asked about saying the Eagles were “disrespectful” to the NFL for sitting out Hurts and others after last year’s season finale, costing the Giants a playoff berth, Judge said, “There’s nothing from last year that’s going to be relevant on Sunday.”