The surprising drama that unfolded between Giants defensive backs Eli Apple and Landon Collins over the past few days does not seem like a major concern to the team.
Asked about the situation, interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo said he saw no need get involved.
“We’re family. There’s going to be disagreements in families,” he said. “They’re grown men, I’m banking on it will all get worked out.”
So are the rest of the Giants.
“They are two grown men,” safety Darian Thompson echoed. “I’m sure they will figure it out themselves.”
“I think they addressed it in the defensive backs meeting room,” said defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who was also Collins’ teammate at Alabama. “I don’t know too much about it.”
Both Thompson and Tomlinson added they thought the relationship between the two was fine.
Apple, a second-year cornerback and former No. 10 overall pick, has dealt with several issues on and off the field this season. He denied that the 23-year-old Collins has spoken to him periodically to offer support, naming veterans such as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Brandon Marshall instead.
“That’s what he said? I guess he don’t remember things then,” Collins said. “But I’m not about to start that conversation with me and my teammate. It is what it is.”
Though Apple is healthy, it has been four weeks since he last played, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Eagles is still up in the air.
“We’ll see where the roster goes right now,” said Spagnuolo. “I’m kind of doing the numbers of the 46 and it’s flowing. But we’ll figure it out by Sunday.”
Safety Nat Berhe (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday and Collins (ankle) is listed as doubtful, so the Giants promoted practice squad safety Ryan Murphy to the active roster.
CB Brandon Dixon (heel/hamstring), and WRs Roger Lewis (ankle) and Travis Rudolph (hamstring) are questionable.
After being limited earlier this week, LB B.J. Goodson (ankle) and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (finger) were not named on the final injury report.
Spagnuolo said he plans to give both Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon more rest, in favor of getting some younger players increased reps. However, 22-year-old defensive end Romeo Okwara, who sprained the MCL in his right knee in October, will not be activated from IR.