Two starting players who didn’t play a snap in four preseason games look and sound as if they are going to be ready to return to the lineup for Wednesday’s opener against the Cowboys.
Linebacker Michael Boley and left tackle Will Beatty participated enough in Saturday’s practice to fuel the optimism.
Boley rarely got any work on the field this summer because of a strained hamstring but he said he ran hard and got in a few reps, enough to say he’s ready to go.
“Oh yeah, it’s pretty much up to the coaches,’’ Boley said. “Whatever they need me to do this week. It feels good. Even running toward the end of this past week, I felt pretty good then and I feel even better now.’’
Beatty has been sidelined most of the summer with an ailing back and sciatic nerve issues, but he is also on the way back. In another positive injury development, rookie cornerback Jayron Hosley was able to practice and moved well as he tests the turf toe injury that kept him out the past week.
Hosley said he has “no soreness’’ in his foot. His return would be helpful to the Giants, because Prince Amukamara (high ankle sprain) will miss the first game.
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A day after the Giants completed their 53-man roster they made an alteration, as they were awarded offensive tackle D.J. Jones off waivers from the Eagles. To make room on the roster, guard Mitch Petrus was waived.
This will be the fourth team in a year for Jones, who last season was on the practice squads with the Dolphins and Ravens and was in Eagles camp this summer. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Jones was a college teammate of Prince Amukamara’s at Nebraska, where he started 16 of the 30 games he played.
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Rookie RB David Wilson said before every season he writes down his goals. He has some pretty lofty ones for his first NFL season: no fumbles, average five yards per carry, score at least 10 touchdowns, amass at least six 100-yard games, allow no sacks in pass protection and have at least one play of 20 yards per game.
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The Giants completed their eight-man practice squad with players who all were cut on Friday: DE Matt Broha, WR David Douglas, CB Laron Scott, DE Craig Marshall, OT Matt McCants, OL Selvish Capers, TE Larry Donnell and OL Stephen Goodin.
Coughlin did not shed much light on the decision to put CB Terrell Thomas on season-ending injured reserve.
“We felt in the best interest of the player and the team that this was the direction we should go with both Shaun Rogers (blood clot in calf) and Terrell Thomas ,’’ Coughlin said. “Certainly it’s a difficult thing.’’
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DT Marvin Austin (back) is getting stronger but it not ready to practice. … Former Giants RB D.J. Ware, cut on Friday, signed with the Buccaneers.