Here’s some actual fake news.

Giants special teams are on high alert this week because Rams punter Johnny Hekker is so prolific on fake punts that he earned the role of emergency quarterback on game days. He is 13-of-22 passing for 184 yards with a touchdown and an interception during his NFL career.

“This guy is really a weapon,” Giants coach Joe Judge said. “Throughout his years in the league, this guy really keeps you on the defensive as a punt-return unit. He makes teams adjust their game plans.

“As we explained to our team, you have to picture this guy really as a quarterback who can punt. He’s not a punter who throws the ball. Anyone who really studies the NFL [knows] he’s really changed the punting position in a lot of ways.”

In his previous job as Patriots special teams coordinator, Judge devoted two weeks to studying Hekker before Super Bowl LIII in February 2019. The Rams changed coordinators from John Fassel since then, and Hekker hasn’t thrown a pass in three games this season, but the Giants do not think trickery fell out of the playbook.

Hekker planned to walk on at Oregon State as a quarterback before making the full-time move to punter — a pivot-point with a Giants twist. Oregon State’s then-coach Mike Riley suspected Hekker had a bright future in punting and had his friend Bruce Read — a former Giants special teams coach — confirm it by looking at recruiting tape.

Advantage Rams.

“Their fake history is extensive,” Giants coordinator Thomas McGaughey said. “It’s just the way he plays the game. He can make all the throws at any point in time on the field. I’m sure at some point in time it’s going to show up.”

Offensives lines fly under the radar for successful offenses. The Giants rank second-to-last in the league in total offense and scoring offense, so who is responsible?

“Us an offensive line, we’ll take all the blame,” right tackle Cam Fleming said. “We’ll take all the things that are being said. We truly believe that as we go, the team goes. We’re willing to take all the pressure on us, all the burden on us. We know if we do what we need to do, then we’re going to see success as an offense.”

The Giants are borrowing a page from the Patriots when it comes to West Coast travel.

Instead of departing Friday and returning overnight Sunday as is common NFL practice, the Giants will leave New Jersey early Saturday, stay in Los Angeles after the game and fly back Monday afternoon, landing around 8 p.m.

“We’re going to make sure the guys get a good night’s sleep, we’ll get the film graded that [Sunday] night and watch it with the players the next morning,” Judge said. “We’re really looking to avoid some of that jet-lag time coming back and keep the players as fresh as possible.”

Some encouraging news, some discouraging news for Giants safeties.

Jabrill Peppers (ankle) was not at practice for the second straight day and is unlikely to play. Julian Love (knee/ankle) and Adrian Colbert (quad) remain limited, but there are on-field signs Love is trending in the right direction.

Undrafted rookie cornerback Madre Harper — claimed off the Raiders practice squad — made his practice debut.

“He’s a guy we’ve had our eye on,” Judge said. “A long, rangy guy with good speed. He’s definitely a developing player. We’ll see … if there is a role or not in this week’s game plan.”