Adoree’ Jackson, the top cornerback on a Giants team about to play in a win-and-in game on Sunday against the Colts to get into the playoffs for the first time in six years, took a step forward on Wednesday, a turn of events that could be a boon to the defense this weekend.
Jackson returned to practice on a limited basis, the first time he has taken the field with his teammates since suffering a sprained knee back on Nov. 20.
Jackson was injured while returning a punt in a 31-18 loss to the Lions at MetLife Stadium. The sprained medial collateral ligament has kept him out of the past five games. The Giants lost three of them, tied one of them and won only one of them. Jackson’s absence has put a strain on the back end of the defense, leaving Fabian Moreau as the No. 1 cornerback and necessitating having Nick McCloud and Darnay Holmes on the field for extended playing time.
Jackson in the early stages of practice moved well inside the field house before the defensive backs went to work on individual drills outside.
Adoree’ Jackson at Giants practice on Dec. 22, 2022. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Azeez Ojulari working out with Kayvon Thibodeaux at Giants practice on Dec. 22, 2022. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Another positive development for the defense: Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari was able to practice on a limited basis. Ojulari was forced out of the Christmas Eve loss to the Vikings in Minneapolis with a sprained ankle, rolling the ankle after sacking Kirk Cousins. Ojulari likened it to a basketball-type of sprained ankle. The X-rays of the ankle came back negative and getting Ojulari back on the field so quickly makes him at least an option to be able to play against the Colts. Ojulari has had a rough time getting on and staying on the field this season but in six games he has 5.5 sacks.
“I think I’ll be straight, I’m trying to, that’s the goal, to be able to play,’’ Ojulari said. “When it happened I knew it was something I could come back from, I didn’t think it was something bad.’’
Two players who will not play against the Colts: Safety Xavier McKinney and offensive lineman Shane Lemieux. McKinney, on the non-football injury list recovering from broken fingers on his left hand, is not yet ready to return to practice. He could be seen running sprints inside the field house and, off to the side, he caught tennis balls from a trainer, which is a sign of some progress.
Lemieux (toe) was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
DL Leonard Williams (neck) was limited in practice. As per usual in the second half of the season, DL Dexter Lawrence was given a “vet” day off. … Coach Brian Daboll planned on practicing outside in the sun and fairly mild temperatures in the mid-40s but the grass fields tested as too frozen to move around on safely, moving practice indoors.
The Giants signed veteran ILB Jarrad Davis off the Lions’ practice squad. Davis, 28, is a former first-round pick (2017) of the Lions who has also played for the Jets. He has 50 NFL starts in his career and takes Lemieux’s place on the roster.
Guard Wyatt Davis, who was briefly on the Giants’ practice squad in September, was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals. TE Chris Myarick was waived and could be re-signed to the practice squad.
