Giants’ Daniel Jones expects to be ready for training camp; who will replace Darren Waller?

The New York Giants opened their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. Here are the notes and observations of the day:

Presence

As the name suggests, this minicamp is mandatory, so there weren’t many absences. Only CB Tre Hawkins III (illness) and CB Aaron Robinson (knee) were not spotted during Tuesday’s practice.

The Giants also had a few players try out, including CB Tre Herndon, TE Noah Togiai, TE Geor’quarius Spivey and OL Kellen Diesch.

Injury report

Three wide receivers left Tuesday’s practice after being injured. Second-year player Chase Cota was forced out with an apparent left arm/shoulder injury; veteran Darius Slayton took time to get up after appearing to slip while running a route; and NFL sophomore Bryce Ford-Wheaton also left with what looked like an arm/shoulder injury.

Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. fell on a kick return and looked shaken, but returned to action later in practice.

Offensive lineman Evan Neal (ankle) participated in part of Tuesday’s practice, coming out a little later and spending time on a stationary bike. Neal is in rehabilitation following surgery to repair a small fracture in his left ankle, initially diagnosed as a sprain. He did not play the final eight games of the 2023 season.

Although Neal was in attendance this spring, he did not participate in the 11-on-11 drills visible to the media during his rehab. At the final OTA workout open to the media last week, Neal was also on a bike. When asked Tuesday if Neal had suffered any setbacks in his recovery, coach Brian Daboll said Neal was “pretty much the same.”

The 2022 first-round pick’s professional career didn’t get off to a good start due to poor play and injuries. This season, a move inside to guard isn’t out of the question if he doesn’t improve at right tackle.

Also on the sidelines Tuesday to work with the coaches during practice: DL Timmy Horne (knee), WR Isaiah McKenzie (undisclosed), LB Micah McFadden (undisclosed), LB Isaiah Simmons (undisclosed), S Gervarrius Owens (undisclosed disclosed), CB Stanley Thomas- Oliver (undisclosed) and OLB Benton Whitley (undisclosed). WR Gunner Olszewski (injury) and TE Jack Stoll (undisclosed) were also spotted on the sideline.

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Jones health update

Daniel Jones (knee) expects to be ready for the first day of training camp next month. Jones said Tuesday that he’s accomplished every goal coaches and doctors have set for him and is driven to do everything they allow him during his rehab from a torn ACL.

“The knee feels good. Really good,” Jones said. “Every week I feel better and better. (I’m) doing a lot of the same things that I’ve been doing, but doing them better and feeling sharper, cleaner with a lot of my cuts. I’m kind of working on getting that explosiveness back and then taking steps to improve my change of direction and cut even where it was before the injury.

Jones did not participate in seven-on-seven drills like he had throughout the spring. He also didn’t play 11-on-11.

“I’m not a coach, I don’t make those calls,” Jones said of his participation. “I get it. Dabs wanted a lot of teamwork, and that’s what they did. Yeah, it wasn’t my favorite, but it’s not my job.

Daniel Jones: “I expect to be ready for the first day of training camp.” #giants

He says he’s reached every level the coaches and doctors have set for him and he’s driven to do everything they allow him to do. pic.twitter.com/ywwnia9ixh

– Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) June 11, 2024

During the upcoming summer vacation, Jones said he plans to stay mostly in New York. He also plans, as has become an annual tradition for him, to hold a few workouts with his teammates during the break.

With Jones sidelined Tuesday, his backups saw plenty of work during team drills. Drew Lock completed 10 of 15 passes and appeared to be strengthening his connection with receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.

Quarterback Tommy DeVito completed 11 of 16 passes, while Nathan Rourke completed 4 of 6.

Waller’s reaction to retirement

After mulling his retirement all offseason, Darren Waller made it official on Sunday. The 31-year-old tight end played one season for the Giants after being traded to New York last year. Waller had a turbulent NFL career, and in a retirement video he said he had a medical emergency last November that changed his outlook on football.

“I would say the first thing with Darren is that my concern for him is more a person than anything else,” Daboll said. “I’m glad he’s okay. I spoke to him yesterday. I communicated with him throughout the offseason. … I wish him good luck. Here for him if he needs anything.

With Waller retiring, the Giants will realize $11.6 million in cap savings while burning through $2.5 million in dead money in 2024 and $4.9 million in 2025.

Waller’s retirement opens up opportunities for other tight ends on the roster, but especially Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager and fourth-round pick Theo Johnson, who each have pass-catching potential. Although Waller only played in 12 games due to injury last season, he finished second on the team in receiving yards (552). While the improved receiving corps should fall behind a bit, Bellinger, Cager and/or Johnson will also have an opportunity to make an impact.

It should be noted that Bellinger did not receive any targets during team periods in three of the four spring practices open to the media (Bellinger did not participate in the other open practice). Bellinger, who worked on refining his route running this offseason, said he was left out of some team drills so Johnson and Cager could get more reps.

THEOO 🙌 pic.twitter.com/IiENwe4PQl

– New York Giants (@Giants) June 11, 2024

Depth chart

— The Giants’ first-team offensive line came from OTAs and looked like this: left tackle Andrew Thomas, left guard Jermaine Eluemunor, center John Micheal Schmitz, right guard Jon Runyan and right tackle Josh Ezeudu.

— For the first time this spring (during an open practice), OL Matt Nelson earned some team reps. Nelson, returning from ankle surgery, worked as a third-team left tackle.

— Tuesday’s kick returners were running backs Devin Singletary, Dante Miller and Tracy, along with receivers Robinson and Ayir Asante.

— Tuesday’s punt returners were Tracy, Miller, Robinson, Slayton, Asante and receiver Isaiah McKenzie.

I always lead the boat

Daboll remained the offensive playmaker during Tuesday’s practice. Tuesday’s practice mimicked a game environment with players/coaches on the sidelines.

It appears Daboll will take over from offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who called play for the majority of his first two years in New York. Although Daboll has been calling players this spring, he doesn’t plan to decide who will be calling the shots during the season until after training camp.

Game of the day

Robinson had a great day, totaling five receptions, and it was capped by a tilt where he ran over 50 yards for a touchdown. Robinson played against CB Cor’Dale Flott.

The best part of the play might have been the Spider-Man celebration (recreating the famous meme) between receivers Robinson, Jalin Hyatt and rookie Malik Nabers.

Wan’Dale at 🏠! pic.twitter.com/O9lpK9bcpy

– New York Giants (@Giants) June 11, 2024

Quote of the day

“When I’m on the field, the level of competition is at its highest level – because in my competition, I bring the dog; I bring the juice when I’m there. So having me on the field has been helpful to these older guys here. I’m just trying to generate a little enthusiasm on the field. The celebrations, I know you’ve seen a lot of them, so I’m just trying to get all the guys ready to practice. — Nabers on the impact he has

Afterwards

Mandatory minicamp runs through Wednesday, which includes a team barbecue, before players disperse for summer vacation before training camp.

(Photo: Luke Hales/Getty Images)