The New York Giants have signed veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and integrated him into offseason practices.
The team also hosted former star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. during a recent charity event, as reported by Sports.
These roster moves come as the franchise undergoes a rebuilding phase under new head coach John Harbaugh.
The Giants have endured eight losing seasons within the last nine years.
Smith-Schuster Joins Offseason Workouts
Smith-Schuster, a 10-year professional who most recently played for the Kansas City Chiefs, participated in 7-on-7 drills.
He caught passes from quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston.
Other practice highlights included a red-zone touchdown catch by Malachi Fields and a deep reception by Darnell Mooney.
Defensive plays came from Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, Jevón Holland, and rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis.
Beckham attended the Brian Burns Celebrity Softball Game, using the event to pitch his return to the Giants as a depth receiver and mentor.
The pursuit of veteran wide receivers is heavily influenced by a severe knee injury to rookie receiver Malik Nabers.
His recovery from an ACL tear is complicated by a meniscus repair.
Dr. Carlos Uquillas, an orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles and a team physician for the Los Angeles Angels, explained the medical challenges.
“It depends on the extent of the meniscus repair,” said Dr. Uquillas. “There are some repairs that are small, and they don’t really change the rehab very much.”
“More significant repairs, where you have to take weight off the leg for four to six weeks after the surgery, they do slow it down, at least in the first two to three months,” he added.
“One of the restrictions you can have with meniscus repairs is restricting the range of motion.
So you’re not trying to bend it all the way the first six weeks.”
“And that can contribute to stiffness sometimes.
So there’s a slightly higher risk of stiffness when you have a meniscus repair on top of an ACL.”
The Giants are also managing defensive back changes, with cornerback Deonte Banks facing diminished trade value following coverage lapses.
The team has already added Greg Newsome II and rookie Colton Hood.
Safety Tyler Nubin discussed his physical development during the charity softball festivities.
“I’d say really my explosiveness,” said Nubin. “I feel like I’ve slimmed down a little bit, lost some weight.
So I’m moving a little better.”
“I feel good coming off surgery last year. But definitely my explosiveness and quickness.”
The Giants will test their updated roster immediately at the start of the regular season, which features consecutive prime-time games in the opening two weeks.
