Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely and Cam Skattebo all are expected to play Sunday, but only one of the Giants’ top offensive weapons is laughing at the idea that his status was ever in jeopardy.
Nabers (knee) missed practice Wednesday because he was more sore than normal but “he’ll be ready to play,” head coach John Harbaugh declared after Friday’s practice.
Skattebo (shoulder) said the red noncontact jersey that he wore Wednesday — an oxymoron given his lower-the-shoulder running style — was more “for safety” and an example of “doing what I’m told.”
“Nothing to worry about,” Skattebo said. “My shoulder’s OK. I literally had a little bit of muscle tightness in my back, and over the last couple of days I’ve worked it out and I feel great.”
In Friday’s practice, Likely (knee/groin), Nabers, Skattebo, left tackle Andrew Thomas (groin) and tight end Chris Manhertz (shoulder) were all full participants for the first time this week.
Safety Jason Pinnock (concussion) and DL Chauncey Golston (neck) were ruled out for Sunday’s game. Pinnock and S Tyler Nubin have shared one position next to Jevon Holland in the last two games. If Nubin is pulled for any reason, Ar’Darius Washington would be next up.
Harbaugh declined to reveal whether newly acquired J.J. McCarthy or Jake Haener will be the No. 2 quarterback.
“I think [J.J.] has made tons of progress in the last two weeks,” Harbaugh said. “From last week to this week, he’s made a lot of progress.
Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones interviewed for the same position with the Giants before it went to Dennard Wilson.
Harbaugh was cagey when asked for his impressions of Jones’ unit.
“I don’t want to say because it might give something away,” Harbaugh said. “We watched a lot of film of their defense.”
Harbaugh opened his post-practice news conference by sharing his thoughts on Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, who died early in the day.
“Got to know Coach Ditka a little bit because my brother [Jim] got drafted by him, played for him,” Harbaugh. “Coach was just a great guy. Met him a few times since in Chicago with Jim. He always knew what he stood for football-wise, right?”
DL Jihad Ward could make his first appearance of his second Giants’ tenure Sunday after Golston’s neck injury.
“Haddy can do a lot,” outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen said. “He’s kind of working a little bit of everywhere, in a Chauncey role rushing inside.”
