Giants training camp, Day 3: Takeaways, including a Shane Lemieux update

Giants ratchet up the intensity, but just a little bit

New York Giants starting left guard Shane Lemieux, carted off the practice field Thursday morning, appears to have avoided a serious knee injury.

“The worst-case scenario looks to have been avoided,” coach Joe Judge said on Friday morning. “We’re happy about that.”

Judge said that Lemieux is “kind of like a wild animal … him not being out here kinda drives him nuts. He’s already been in my office today talking about how fast he can get back.

“My message to him is always when the trainers say you’re 100 percent healthy to go on the field we’ll put you on the field.”

Most competitive day of practice

The Giants practiced in shells for the first time, and there was some fairly competitive 11-on-11 work late in what turned out to be a the most competitive day of practice. A few observations:

• The defense had the better of the offense most of the day, and there were two interceptions. Logan Ryan picked off Daniel Jones on a ball thrown over the head of Evan Engram. Rookie Rodarius Williams had an interception on a pass by Clayton Thorson.
• One thing we did have a decent view of during the workout was the work done by second-year left tackle Andrew Thomas. He appeared to have a good day. Thomas stoned rookie second-round pick Azeez Ojulari on back-to-back reps. He stopped Carter Coughlin on one rush, and also nicely handled an inside spin move by Ifeadi Odenigbo.
• Ryan Santoso handled the duties during a field-goal drill, and made all five of his kicks.
• One offensive highlight was a touchdown catch by C.J. Board on a nicely thrown fade from Mike Glennon.
• Veteran Kenny Wiggins, who spent most of last season on the Giants’ practice squad, filled in for Lemieux.
• Wide receiver Austin Mack, competing for one of the final roster spots at the position, left practice early with an apparent hamstring injury.

Saturday practice in Newark

The Giants will take practice on the road Saturday evening. The Giants will practice in the newly-renovated 4,500-seat Eddie Moraes Stadium, home of the East Side High School football program. The stadium is reopening after having been closed in 1987.

The practice is NOT open to the public. Attendees will include high school football teams from Newark and surrounding communities, plus nearby Pop Warner and other youth programs.

Saquon update

Saquon Barkley, on the PUP list as he continues to work back from his torn ACL, was in a group of players working with trainers on the back field. That group also included rookeis Kadarius Toney and Elerson Smith.

“What I see from him [Barkley] every day is a guy who is just very focused and just understands he’s got to go ahead and take a step forward every day,” Judge said. “I’m very pleased with the way he’s worked. He’s shown a great attitude. Shown a ton of leadership for us right now.”