Given the spate of injuries at wide receiver, it would be helpful for the Giants if Darius Slayton could get on the field to continue his development. The rookie, a fifth-round pick from Auburn, has not practiced at all in training camp because of a strained hamstring.
“Soon,’’ coach Pat Shurmur said.
“Soon sounds good to me,’’ receivers coach Tyke Tolbert said.
Each day that passes pushes Slayton further behind. He was a revelation in the spring, coming back off a rough first minicamp showing to emerge as one of the most productive targets this past offseason. So much so that Tolbert said he is showing the entire receiver group — even the veterans — tapes of plays Slayton made in the organized team activity workouts.
“It stands out,’’ Tolbert said. “It’s noticeable all the plays he was making throughout the spring.’’
Hall of Famer and former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan watched practice. Two other players with Super Bowl rings, RB Ahmad Bradshaw and OL Kevin Boothe, were also in attendance. … Players get their first day off from camp on Monday.
T.J. Jones, one of the two receivers signed after a tryout on Saturday, brings experience, with 42 games played the past four seasons for the Lions. Jones had 64 receptions for 814 yards.
“He has some good feet, you can see him inside, outside, he has good size,’’ Tolbert said. “Having played in the NFL also helps because he has some game experience. You can’t discount game experience.’’
One of the knocks on rookie QB Daniel Jones was his arm strength. He got the ball out quickly and down the field during Saturday’s period of working against the blitz.
“There were a couple of times where the rush got on him a little bit, and he was able to snap it off and make pretty much an all-arm throw, which you’re looking for,’’ Shurmur said. “I know we’re sort of taking his temperature every day, but I really feel like he’s making progress. Each day is a new install. Each day is like 50 first dates. You start over, but you’ve got to move on. He does a good job with that.’’
The first day in full pads on Saturday went as expected, especially with the linemen.
“There were mistakes up front, obviously,’’ Shurmur said. “It was a little sloppier than I would have liked to have seen, but that’s part of it. The last time they were in pads was when we played the Cowboys in the last game of the year. It’s hard to believe, but that’s just the way the world works now.’’
