Olivier Vernon's X-Ray Came Back Negative
- Olivier Vernon was carted off the Giants practice field today after suffering a left ankle injury. However, it sounds like the talented outside linebacker will be alright, as ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that Vernon’s x-rays came back negative. If the 27-year-old is forced to miss any time, it’d be a big loss for the Giants. The linebacker has compiled 15 sacks in two seasons with the team, including a 2017 campaign when he collected 37 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 12 games.
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Vikings Acquire C Brett Jones From Giants
The Giants have traded center Brett Jones to the Vikings in exchange for a 2019 draft pick, New York announced. New York will acquire a 2019 seventh-round choice, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.
Minnesota is in desperate need of help on the interior of its offensive line, as projected starting guard Nick Easton is already done for the season after undergoing neck surgery, while center Pat Elflein has been on the physically unable to perform list for the duration of training camp. Elflein is dealing with shoulder and ankle injuries, but Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer says Elflein won’t begin the regular season on the PUP list, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
A former undrafted free agent, Jones started 13 games in place of the injured Weston Richburg a season ago. Jones, who joined the Giants in 2015 after spending time in the Canadian Football League, graded as the NFL’s No. 18 center among 37 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. However, the 26-year-old was expected to lose New York’s starting center job to Jon Halapio, making him expendable in the Giants’ view.
The Giants re-signed Jones this offseason on a one-year, $2.941MM second-round restricted free agent tender, and the Vikings will now assume the entirety of that contract. At last check, New York possessed only ~$1.5MM in cap space, so moving Jones and his salary off its books will give the club a little financial breathing room.
Giants, Odell Beckham Jr. Optimistic Deal Will Be Done Before Season
One of the least contentious negotiations involving high-profile 2014 draftees may be headed toward a long-term resolution before the regular season starts.
Inside of three weeks until the Giants begin their season, they are making progress on a landmark deal for Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports. Both sides, per Raanan, are optimistic they can complete the extension agreement before the regular season begins.
The expectation, understandably so, continues to be that this accord will set a new standard for wide receivers.
The Giants wanted to see if their superstar wideout bought into Pat Shurmur‘s new program, per Raanan, and he responded by not waging a minicamp or training camp holdout. They also wanted to see him show he was recovered from the broken ankle he suffered early last season, and Beckham is on track to return from his that setback and play against the Jaguars in Week 1. He may do so — after a year and a half of being extension-eligible — on a historic contract.
Antonio Brown‘s $17MM per year represents receivers’ annual standard, and Mike Evans‘ $55MM guaranteed sits atop that financial category’s hierarchy. Most of the other notable wideouts from the 2014 draft class — Evans, Sammy Watkins, Jarvis Landry, Allen Robinson, Brandin Cooks — have since signed their second contracts, and Beckham almost certainly won’t sign for less than his peers have. At 25, the three-time Pro Bowler is four years younger than Brown, and he’s outproduced the other members of his class on a per-year basis.
The Giants and their top weapon began negotiations in late July, and although Beckham didn’t play in Big Blue’s first two preseason games, he took part in joint practices with the Lions last week.
Bills LB Keenan Robinson Retires
Bills linebacker Keenan Robinson has retired from the NFL. On Thursday, Robinson came to the conclusion that he no longer has what it takes to play in the NFL and said goodbye to his teammates, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The Bills subsequently placed him on the reserve/retired list. 
Robinson appeared in 58 games for the Giants and Redskins from 2012-2017. He was a 13-game starter in 2013, but his playing time has been reduced ever since and he missed ten games last year due to a quad injury.
As an experienced player with special teams abilities, Robinson had a real chance to make the Bills’ final cut when he joined the club in late July. After competing with fellow veteran linebackers Ramon Humber, Julian Stanford, and Deon Lacey for about a month, however, Robinson felt that he had lost a step.
We wish Robinson the best in retirement.
Giants Work Out Jahad Thomas
- With a room full of injured running backs, the Giants added free agent runner Jhurell Pressley earlier this week. But New York also worked out fellow back Jahad Thomas on Monday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Thomas, 22, went undrafted out of Temple in 2017, but landed a contract with the Cowboys and then spent the majority of the regular season on the Jets’ practice squad. Thomas, who was briefly on the Winnipeg Bombers’ (CFL) roster earlier this summer, averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored 30 total touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons.
Victor Cruz Announces Retirement
Victor Cruz is officially hanging up his cleats. On Tuesday, Cruz announced that he is retiring from the NFL in order to begin his broadcasting career. 
“I’m excited to close down and open a new chapter and join the media world at ESPN,” Cruz said (video link). “I’m excited for the future, I’m excited for the next chapter, I’m excited for you all to be a part of this with me, and here we go.”
Cruz, 32 in November, inked a one-year, $2MM deal with the Bears last offseason. The deal included a a $500K signing bonus, but that guarantee didn’t stop the Bears from cutting him just before the start of the season. Cruz later lobbied the Giants to re-sign him after they lost Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Dwayne Harris, and Sterling Shepard to injury, but the G-Men never reciprocated interest in a reunion. As recently as May, Cruz expressed interest in continuing his NFL career.
Cruz will be fondly remembered for his best years with the Giants. From 2011 through 2013, Cruz averaged 80 receptions 1,209 yards, and averaged eight end zone salsa dances per season. Unfortunately, injuries hampered and ultimately ended his career, but Cruz’s bold personality should suit him well on the airwaves.
More Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/18
Some more minor moves from today:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: C Jacob Ohnesorge
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Warren Long
- Waived: S Mike Basile
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/18
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: FB Jalston Fowler, WR Julian Williams
- Waived: FB Luke McNitt, WR Taj Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed WR Cobi Hamilton
- Waived: RB Tion Green
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: FB Kobe McCrary, G Kareem Are
- Placed on IR: DE Ade Aruna
- Waived/Injured: OL Cedrick Lang, FB Johnny Stanton, TE Josiah Price
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Jhurell Pressley
- Waived/Injured: LB Thurston Armbrister
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Jerel Worthy
- Waived/Injured: LB Shaheed Salmon
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Joshua Kalu
- Placed on IR: DB Kalan Reed
Giants Change Up Linebacker Duties
- The Giants made a change in their sub-package alignment Sunday, swapping in Ray-Ray Armstrong for B.J. Goodson at one of the two linebacker positions, per Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com. Armstrong and Alec Ogletree worked as Big Blue’s nickel ‘backers at practice. Armstrong played safety in college and has bounced around in the NFL, seeing action with the Rams, Raiders and 49ers before joining the Giants last year. Pro Football Focus graded both Goodson and Armstrong as poor coverage players last season.
Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles made plans to visit the Redskins this weekend, following Orleans Darkwa in doing so. This effort to add a piece to a reeling backfield won’t be to bring in a starter but to add depth to a position group that needs it. Jay Gruden said (video link) his team is “covering our bases” in arranging visits with these free agent backs. Being merely a four-year veteran with a light carry history, Darkwa certainly has the most left in the tank. He led the Giants in rushing last season. Peterson, though, has recent experience fitting in quickly with a new team. Although he didn’t do well on a per-carry basis behind a struggling Cardinals offensive line, the future Hall of Fame back posted two 130-plus-yard performances last season — the first of which coming in his initial Cards game. Charles fell out of the Broncos’ rotation late in the season, but the two-time All-Pro made it through last year healthy and performed fairly well (4.3 yards per tote) before being shut down.
Giants Had Interest In Orlando Scandrick
The Giants expressed interest in cornerback Orlando Scandrick when he was released by the Redskins last week, but he landed with the Chiefs before New York could arrange a visit, tweets Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. New York is set at outside corner, where Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple will start, but could still use help at slot, which is where Scandrick has experienced the most success. At present, veterans William Gay and Leonard Johnson are the leading candidates to play inside for the Giants, but given their interest in Scandrick, it stands to reason Big Blue could consider further additions — either via the free agent or trade market, or through a waiver claim — in the coming weeks.