Giants continue to be ‘encouraged’ by Adoree’ Jackson

Cornerback has not played since Week 11

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Thursday that he continues to be encouraged by the progress of cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who has not played since Week 11 due to a sprained MCL.

“I think he feels good,” Daboll said. “I think (Thursday) is another important day for him. Encouraged, hopeful, but I think we have to go through these next two days seeing progress. We have to see how he does rep after rep after rep. I think he’s making progress, but, again, never want to put anybody out there that’s not fully ready to go or (doesn’t) feel ready to go.”

Jackson was officially listed as a limited practice participant. The Giants added two players to the injury report — right tackle Evan Neal (ankle) and wide receiver Marcus Johnson (knee). Both were listed as limited participants.

Kafka deflects coaching rumors

Reports on Tuesday indicated that Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been asked to interview for vacant head-coaching jobs with the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans.

Kafka opened his Thursday media availability by shutting down questions on that topic.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of those conversations and be a part of that process but really that’s all I have to add on it,” Kafka said. “My focus today and this week is really on getting our guys ready for Minnesota and the week ahead and today’s practice. That’s really all I’ll have on it.”

Wink — Giants will always attack

The Giants blitzed on a league-high 39.7 percent of defensive snaps this season. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale isn’t about to apologize for that, even if it occasionally doesn’t work.

“I just think that our personality as a defense is to attack,” Martindale said on Thursday. “If you’ve got a NY on your helmet or the old school Giants on your helmet, you’re going to attack.”

Martindale was asked about the third-and-9 play at the end of the first game against Minnesota. The Giants blitzed, did not get home, and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins completed a 16-yard pass to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. That kept alive a drive that ended in Greg Joseph’s game-winning 61-yard field goal.

“It’s one of those situations where that was a topic of discussion of could you have done this? Could you have done that? Could you have done this?,” Martindale said. “I just look at it as for myself personally when I’m calling the game, is it time for us to win it? Which at the time we were trying to win it defensively in where we were at in that situation. Now, you’re saying well you’re pressuring, and you got (wide receiver Justin Jefferson) 18 out there. We have 18 with a safety over the top of him. Great players make great plays and 18 made a great play.

“Let’s make no mistake about it, you can’t take away 18. You try to limit him, but you can’t take away from him. I think I said it the last time, he’s one of the top two receivers and he’s not number two in this league.”

Thursday injury report

Giants

Limited participation

CB Adoree’ Jackson (Knee)
WR Marcus Johnson (Knee)
OT Evan Neal (Ankle)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (Ankle)
S Jason Pinnock (Shoulder)
DL Leonard Williams (Neck)

Full participation

C Jon Feliciano (Back)
S Xavier McKinney (Fingers)

Vikings

Did not participate

CB Cam Dantzler (Ankle/Personal Matter)

Limited participation

S Harrison Smith (Knee)

Full participation

LB Brian Asamoah (Knee)
C Garrett Bradbury (Back)
DL James Lynch (Shoulder)