Giants To Release Or Trade Ereck Flowers
The Ereck Flowers saga is nearing its end. The Giants will release the tackle if he is not traded by 4pm ET/3pm CT on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. 
The Giants benched Flowers before their Week 3 game against the Texans, bringing an end to his three-plus years as a starter.
The Giants, under both the former regime and the current one, have considered parting ways with Flowers for some time. They moved Flowers off of the left tackle spot this year by signing Nate Solder in free agency, but gave him an opportunity to redeem himself on the right side. Unfortunately, the results have been roughly the same, and the 2015 first-round pick’s time in New York is finally through.
Several teams were giving thought to using a top 32 pick on Flowers in 2015, but it’s unlikely that there’s much of a trade market for him today. There are plenty of teams who are desperate for offensive line help, but it’s hard to see a team giving up something of value and assuming the prorated portion of Flowers’ $2.397MM base salary.
Despite some serious buzz that led to him being taken No. 9 overall in the draft, the Miami product has yet to do much at the pro level. Last year was his best season to date and he graded out as just the No. 54 tackle in the NFL out of 81 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.
The Giants have elevated second-year UDFA offensive tackle Chad Wheeler to the starting lineup in Flowers’ stead, but he is questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Eagles after suffering a hand injury. The Giants have decided to dump Flowers three days before facing a divisional rival on national television even though they might be without their projected starter, and that speaks volumes for where the former first-round pick is in his career.
Latest on Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
When Odell Beckham Jr. finally signed his mega-extension with the Giants it seemed like the drama surrounding his antics was finally over. That apparently wasn’t the case, as Beckham caused quite a stir this week with comments he made that were critical of the team. 
First Beckham griped about his role in the offense and how there wasn’t enough downfield action in coach Pat Shurmur’s system, then he wondered aloud if Eli Manning was the problem with the offense, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. He also refused to say whether or not he was happy being in New York, despite very recently signing the five-year $95MM extension.
Shurmur originally downplayed Beckham’s comments and suggested he was taken out of context, but he apparently had a change of heart, according to Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com. Dunleavy writes that Shurmur became “livid” and demanded Beckham apologize to the team. Beckham apparently obliged, and told teammates it was the “wrong message” and wouldn’t happen again.
Separately, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk broke down the situation, and speculated about Beckham’s motives. Florio thinks the public airing of grievances might be “part of Beckham’s strategy, with the goal of getting paid by the Giants and then forcing a trade elsewhere.” If that turns out to be the case, it would be a shocking turn of events after everything had seemingly been smoothed over between Beckham and the team’s front office earlier this summer. The Giants lost another heartbreaker today, dropping them to 1-4, and it will be interesting to see what Beckham has to say moving forward.
Eli Manning's Play Drawing Scrutiny
- Eli Manning‘s play has apparently drawn scrutiny from Giants decision-makers. The 15th-year starter has not had much success down the field this season, frequently checking the ball down. “Growing frustration” has emerged with Manning’s issues in this area, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News notes. Odell Beckham Jr., during a recent interview with ESPN’s Josina Anderson (via Leonard), also questioned why Manning isn’t making more downfield throws. “How come we can’t throw the ball for more than 20 yards?” Beckham asked Anderson, rhetorically. “How come we don’t attempt or try to throw the ball for more than 20 yards? Those are questions that we have to figure out.” Manning’s only completed nine 20-plus-yard passes this season, and just six of those traveled 20-plus yards through the air. Manning is completing 74 percent of his passes.
Giants Activate DE Josh Mauro
A familiar staple of James Bettcher‘s recent defenses will make his Giants debut on Sunday. The team activated defensive end Josh Mauro on Saturday.
To make room on their 53-man roster, the Giants waived wide receiver Stacy Coley. Jawill Davis is expected to return kicks for the Giants, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets.
Mauro played on each of Bettcher’s three Cardinals defenses, starting 24 games during Bettcher’s stay as Arizona’s DC. Although Mauro is more of a run-stopping presence at end (two career sacks), any additional qualified personnel being available stands to help a Giants team that’s again going to be without Olivier Vernon. Afflicted with a troublesome high ankle sprain, Big Blue’s top pass rusher will miss a fifth straight game.
The NFL suspended Mauro four games for violating its policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
New York claimed Coley earlier this year after Minnesota waived the second-year wideout. He returned two kicks and two punts against the Texans in Week 3, but Davis served as the Giants’ kick-return man against the Saints.
Extra Points: Bell, Gregory, Raiders, Carr
With just less than four weeks remaining until the trade deadline, Le’Veon Bell-to-the-Eagles has surfaced on the rumor circuit. The Eagles are reportedly giving serious consideration to making a run at the likely rental running back. But SI.com’s Albert Breer isn’t so sure that’s going to happen. The Eagles don’t see running back as a spot to sink major resources into, per Breer. Bell’s approximately $10MM salary would qualify as a major investment, although that’s dropping by the week because of this unusual holdout. Philadelphia has just less than $5MM in cap room, and Breer notes the improving health of its running backs should help them steer clear of these interesting Bell sweepstakes. Corey Clement and Darren Sproles have yet to return to practice, and Jay Ajayi is playing with a back fracture. The Eagles traded a fourth-rounder for Ajayi before the 2017 trade deadline. Bell as of now plans to report to the Steelers during their Week 7 bye.
Here’s the latest from around the league as Week 5’s first game continues:
- Randy Gregory‘s reinstatement conditions caused him to miss the Cowboys‘ Thursday practice. The defensive end was in Chicago meeting with medical director of the NFL’s substance-abuse program, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). He most recently attended this type of summit during the preseason. The NFL reinstated Gregory this summer after his extensive substance-abuse-induced hiatus. His status for Week 5 doesn’t appear to be in question. Gregory’s played 64 snaps this season.
- Jimmy Smith‘s return to action this week doesn’t appear to mean Brandon Carr will be bumped from first-string duties. The 11th-year cornerback has started 164 straight games (and every game he’s played as an NFLer), and Ravens DC Wink Martindale doesn’t plan on stopping that run, Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com notes. Smith is eligible to return after a four-game suspension. Carr, Marlon Humphrey and slot man Tavon Young have worked as Baltimore’s top three corners this season. Smith was thriving prior to his season-ending injury last year, so it should be expected he’ll play a big role soon, even if he doesn’t start immediately. Carr’s 164-game start streak resides as the longest among defensive players by 28 games.
- While Jon Gruden wanted to take Derwin James in the first round, Vic Tafur of The Athletic writes (subscription required) the Raiders weren’t doing anything except taking a tackle in Round 1. However, if Kolton Miller was gone at No. 15 — where the Raiders dropped to after dealing the No. 10 selection to the Cardinals — Tafur notes they were going to take James or trade down further.
- The Dolphins were projected to be among the teams examining the crop of potential first-round quarterbacks, but their 3-1 start could change that. Early in the mock process, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has the Dolphins taking Clemson cornerback Trayvon Mullen, a player whom multiple area scouts have rising into the first round after a strong start to the season. As for where Miller projects the QBs to fall in Round 1, he has the Giants taking Oregon’s Justin Herbert and No. 5, the Patriots grabbing Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham at No. 17 (though, that draft slot seems certain to drop) and the Bengals selecting Missouri’s Drew Lock at 28.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Justin Zimmer
- Released: DB Taveze Calhoun
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Andre Levrone
- Released: DL Christian LaCouture
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR DeAngelo Yancey
- Released: LB Greer Martini
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Deon Yelder
- Cut: S Leon McQuay
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Quadree Henderson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Bruce Hector
NFL Workout Updates: 10/3/18
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account:
Detroit Lions
- DBs Kurtis Drummond, Steven Terrell, Jack Tocho, Damarius Travis (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- P Brock Miller (link)
New England Patriots
- LB Calvin Munson; DT David Parry (link)
New York Giants
- WR Quadree Henderson (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- QB Paxton Lynch; RBs Troymaine Pope; WRs Reggie Davis, DeAngelo Yancey; T Rick Leonard; DT Jamie Meder; LBs Zaire Anderson, Terence Garvin; Ss Marcelis Branch, Isaiah Johnson (link)
Tennessee Titans
- Gs Jordan Morgan, Landon Turner; T Justin Evans (link)
Jonathan Stewart Could Return This Year
- Running back Jonathan Stewart is now on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury, but the veteran could conceivably return to the Giants this season, tweets Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. New York head coach Pat Shurmur said Stewart will be sidelined for eight weeks, the exact amount of time he’d be forced to miss due to the NFL’s IR/return rules. Stewart, who signed a two-year, $6.9MM deal with the Giants earlier this year, had received just six carries in three games, amassing only 17 rushing yards for his new team. With Stewart, New York will use Wayne Gallman as the top backup to Saquon Barkley.
Practice Squad Updates: 10/2/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Darian Thompson, WR Bernard Reedy
- Cut: CB Demetrious Cox, LB Nigel Harris
Carolina Panthers
- Released: WR DeAndrew White
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams
- Cut: CB Breon Borders
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Skai Moore, TE Erik Swoope, RB Jonathan Williams
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Jamar McGloster
- Waived: DT Steven Richardson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DE/OLB Ja’Von Rolland-Jones, DB Linden Stephens
- Cut: DE Marcus Martin
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Garrison Smith
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Darius Hillary, G Will Holden, DB Chris Lammons, WR Tanner McEvoy
- Released: QB J.T. Barrett, T Rick Leonard, DB Arrion Springs, TE Deon Yelder
New York Giants
- Signed: T Jylan Ware
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Kyle Wilson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Chad Hansen, LB LaTroy Lewis
- Cut: WR Kalif Raymond
Washington Redskins
- Signed: RB Mack Brown
Giants’ Jonathan Stewart Heading To IR
Jonathan Stewart‘s tenure with the Giants may not include any more games. The team will place the veteran running back on injured reserve, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets.
To replace Stewart on the 53-man roster, the Giants will promote wide receiver Jawill Davis from their practice squad, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan tweets.
A foot injury was set to keep Stewart out this weekend against the Saints, and it will shelve the 11th-year veteran for at least two months. However, Stewart doesn’t appear to be an IR-return candidate given his role through thus far.
Stewart’s received just six carries in three Giants games, amassing just 17 rushing yards for his new team. He’s played behind Saquon Barkley and Wayne Gallman. Stewart, 31, is signed for another season with the Giants. He inked a two-year, $6.9MM deal in March, but most of the $2.95MM in guarantees were due this season. It would only cost Big Blue $250K to cut the longtime starter in 2019.
Long the 1-B option alongside DeAngelo Williams with the Panthers, Stewart emerged as Carolina’s top running back for a few years after Williams departed. He started in Super Bowl 50, scoring the Panthers’ only touchdown of that game, and made his only Pro Bowl during that 2015 season. Stewart scored 23 touchdowns over the past three years, but the Panthers released him prior to free agency’s outset.