The closest competition this summer was at fullback, where Henry Hynoski and John Conner battled for one roster spot. Hynoski appeared to have the edge heading into Friday night’s preseason finale but he didn’t make it out of the second quarter, leaving early with a shoulder injury in the Giants’ 16-13 victory.
Hynoski missed time last season with a left shoulder injury and that’s the same one he hurt against the Patriots. Tom Coughlin did not immediately have the specifics of the injury other than, “I heard him say he thought it was some kind of a [rotator] cuff injury.’’
Conner was signed last season to fill in for Hynoski and he could gain a roster spot because of this latest physical issue.
“I don’t wish that on anybody,’’ Conner said. “He’s a tough guy, he’s having a great camp and hopefully comes back all right.’’
Mario Manningham probably had no chance to make a difference in the last game and gain a roster spot but any chance he had probably ended when he was forced out in the second quarter with a calf injury. … Ryan Nassib got the bulk of the work as the No. 2 quarterback and went 6-of-14 for 107 yards. After all the improvement he’s shown in the preseason, it was probably enough to win the backup role and send Curtis Painter packing.
Rookie Weston Richburg made his first start, working well into the third quarter at left guard. That’s where he’ll play in the season opener as Geoff Schwartz rehabs from a toe injury. Asked if he is ready, Richburg said, “I don’t have a choice.’’ The starting right guard was John Jerry, who played nearly the entire game and could be the starter against the Lions in Week 1 if Brandon Mosley (back) is not healthy. … TE Larry Donnell (4 catches for 60 yards) solidified his spot on the roster. … Veteran DE Israel Idonije, trying to carve out a spot for himself, had two sacks.
As expected, Tom Brady did not play at all on offense but he did get in the game. How’s that? He came on the field in the second quarter to hold for an extra point. … CB Zack Bowman came up with an interception that was nullified by (what else?) an illegal contact penalty on Bowman. No matter. Bowman on the next series showed his athleticism and nose for the ball with a lunging interception of Jimmy Garappolo.
LB Jon Beason will be taken off the physically unable to perform list in time to practice with the Giants on Monday. Beason missed the entire training camp and all five preseason games dealing with a right foot injury — ligament damage and a small fracture in the sesamoid bone. He was able to avoid surgery and his rehab progressed according to schedule, making him viable for the season opener.