Although the Giants are not scheduled to play again until Week 12, they have run into a COVID-19 issue. Following Graham Gano‘s coronavirus contraction, three more Giants players have submitted positive tests.
Rookie tackle Matt Peart, tight end Kaden Smith and recently added wide receiver Dante Pettis tested positive for COVID, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. They will join Gano, punter Riley Dixon and long snapper Casey Kreiter on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
While none of Friday’s cases have affected high-profile Giants players, four positive tests certainly is a concern for the team. The Giants said in a statement they learned of the tests Thursday night; contact tracing is underway. No Giants have been at the team’s facility this week. Gano’s positive test Monday nixed plans for any in-person meetings or light workouts, per Vacchiano.
Players who test positive must remain away from teams’ facilities for 10 days, so Friday’s news will shelve the three latest positive testers for the Giants’ Nov. 29 game against the Bengals. The Giants played without guard starter Will Hernandez in two games earlier this month because of his positive test.
A third-round pick viewed as a developmental tackle, Peart has mixed in on offense since his Week 6 start. The UConn product has played 64 offensive snaps over the past four games, rotating in with starting right tackle Cameron Fleming. Used as a blocking tight end alongside Evan Engram, Smith has started nine games this season and played 48% of Big Blue’s offensive snaps. Pettis, claimed off waivers earlier this month, has yet to make his Giants debut.
It’s definitely been an interesting season. Games moved around, players on COVID lists, very limited fans in the seats; but I’m grateful that college and pro sports opened again.
Will the Giants quit messing with Peart and just give him full reps at tackle? He’s been highly promising in limited snaps and clearly the future. He’s head and shoulders above Fleming and deserves to be rewarded for his effort
So does Lemiuex !!
I disagree with that. Lemieux has struggled according to both PFF and the eye test. A guard chosen late in the draft is not as promising as a mid-round tackle, so they should not force the issue. Besides, Hernandez and Zeitler is already a quality combo. They just need to improve center in the interior