The Giants have been fined $150,000, and head coach Ben McAdoo $50,000 by the NFL for their unauthorized use of radio communication from the sideline to quarterback Eli Manning for five plays during the game against Dallas two Sundays ago. In addition, the Giants’ fourth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft will be moved to the end of the fourth-round (after any compensatory picks in that round) but no more than twelve selection spots from where the Giants finished in draft order for that round.
The Giants issued the following statement in response to the penalties: “It was a clear violation of the rules, and we accept full responsibility and the penalty.”
“Doesn’t have anything to do with the game on Thursday night,” McAdoo told reporters on Tuesday. “We have to be ready to play a game on a short week Thursday night against a division rival. It’s just something to talk about, it’s a distraction if you let it be. We need to be focused on the game on Thursday night, on getting ready to play Philadelphia. That’s what this week is all about.”
The Giants will likely be without Pro Bowl corner Janoris Jenkins, who suffered a bruised back against Detroit last Sunday.
“It’s still too early to tell (if Jenkins will play),” McAdoo said. “He moved around a little bit on the field today. He’s a veteran player who’s played a lot of football, so he’ll have some input in it. But it’s ultimately a medical decision.”
The Giants have some depth at corner should Jenkins be held out. Veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will draw the start against Philly but Jenkins still wants to try to play. If the game was on Sunday rather than Thursday this week, he’d naturally have a better chance.
“I am just focused on getting better, man, each and every day,” Jenkins said. “It is (a more limited timeframe), but treatment and just staying on top of it and doing the right things about it, anything is possible.”
*The Giants can clinch a playoff berth with a win in Philadelphia, or a loss by any one of the following four teams: Detroit, Atlanta, Green Bay or Tampa Bay. They are still alive in the race for the NFC East, but need to win their last two and hope that Dallas loses their final two games.
*The Giants are 2 1/2 point favorites over the Eagles in Philly Thursday night. The over/under is a mere 41 1/2. New York won the first meeting, 28-23, on Nov. 6 at MetLife Stadium. Philadelphia is 5-9 after opening the season 3-0. They have lost five consecutive games including a one-point defeat to the Ravens in Baltimore last week.
*The Giants announced they have placed RB Shane Vereen (triceps) and QB Ryan Nassib (elbow) have been placed on season-ending IR. Both will undergo surgery this week. LB Ishaq Williams and RB George Winn have been added to the active roster.