There was no promise Kendall Gaskins would see another day with the Giants and, despite that uncertainty and the tension it can bring, there was no celebration when he learned he survived the first round of roster slashing.
Far from it.
“No one likes it, not even the coaches, not even the front office,’’ Gaskins told The Post on Tuesday when the cuts were announced. “Everyone’s kind of down, everyone just wants to practice and not think about it. It’s easier said than done.’’
None of the five running backs was sent packing, but one of them will have to go on Saturday when the final cuts trim the roster from 75 players to 53. Before that, there’s Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium and for those on the bubble, there’s never a second chance to make a final impression.
Gaskins and Michael Cox are vying for the No. 4 spot at running back. Rashad Jennings and rookie Andre Williams will start the season as the 1-2 punch in the backfield and now that veteran Peyton Hillis has moved past his foot and ankle issues he figures to be a lock at No. 3, given his versatility. Gaskins was on the practice squad for the final month of last season and Cox, a 2013 seventh-round draft pick from UMass, played in 14 games as a rookie, mostly on special teams.
The Giants have done a good job of splitting the work in the preseason and thus far Gaskins has the edge. In 21 rushing attempts he has gained 63 yards (3.0 yards per carry). Cox in 22 rushes has 39 yards (1.8-yard average). Cox is faster, while Gaskins at 6-foot-1 and 238 pounds is a bit bigger. It looks as if the coaching staff has no interest in seeing Cox return kicks.
How the rushing attempts are split in the fifth and final preseason game will be telling, as will the way Cox and Gaskins are deployed on special teams — always the ticket for a reserve running back. Gaskins — a four-year player at Richmond who was not drafted and spent time last summer with the Bills and later on the Titans’ practice squad — has been a starter on all four major special teams units and that could be his edge.
“I think I’m a versatile back because I’m a little heavier than most backs,’’ Gaskins said. “I can catch the ball, I can run the ball, I can pass block, I can play special teams. That’s one thing coaches want to see, they don’t want to see guys that can just do one thing, especially in my position. The more things you can do the more value you have on a team.’’
Value is the key at so many positions. The final spot at receiver could come down to Preston Parker’s extra worth as a return man vs. Jerrel Jernigan’s inability to make an impact on special teams. That return ace Trindon Holliday (hamstring) hasn’t gotten on the field also helps Parker, as Holliday’s injury likely cost himself a roster spot. At fullback, Henry Hynoski vs. John Conner is as close as it gets and, though coach Tom Coughlin cautioned Hynoski is not yet at his 2012 form, he is getting closer.
There are four tight ends for three spots, with Daniel Fells a lock. Larry Donnell probably has done enough. That pits Adrien Robinson vs. veteran Kellen Davis, although it’s expected the Giants will try to sign someone from outside the organization when the waiver wire gets cooking.
In the defensive secondary, rookie sixth-round pick Bennett Jackson from Notre Dame has shown enough to stay around and not merely on the practice squad. Bennett could take the roster spot from Jayron Hosley, who has not had a strong summer and is suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s drug policy.
Gaskins is right there, but not there just yet.
“You never can be too sure,’’ Gaskins said. “I feel like I’ve played well and I feel like I showed what I can do. I’m going to prepare myself like I’m getting ready for the season and take it from there.’’