Training camp has not been kind to the New York Giants receiving corps. After just two days, the team is down two wide receivers after Corey Coleman suffered a torn ACL and will likely be out for the remainder of the season.
The Giants made the announcement about Coleman Friday. Coleman and Sterling Shepard were both injured in Thursday’s opening training camp practice. It is believed Coleman injured himself during one-on-one drills early in the session. While Shepard was removed from the practice field, Coleman participated until its conclusion.
X-rays revealed Shepard suffered a fractured thumb. The Giants say he will be for at least two weeks. There also reports that he could be out for as many as six weeks, which would put his status for the regular season opener at the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8 in jeopardy.
Coleman, a 2016 first-round (15th overall) pick of the Cleveland Browns, signed with the Giants last season. He caught five passes for 71 yards and gained five yards on one carry in eight games with one start. Coleman was expected to compete for a role on special teams, perhaps even the team’s third receiver in the absence of Shepard.
“He was a guy that had a chance to be in there and compete to either start or have a role,” head coach Pat Shurmur said.
The loss of Shepard and Coleman is further exacerbated by the absence of Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham was traded to the Cleveland Browns in March. The Giants will move forward in training camp with Golden Tate, Cody Latimer, Russell Shepard, Bennie Fowler, Reggie White Jr., Alonzo Russell, and rookie Darius Slayton.
Slayton, a fifth-round (171st overall) pick, is currently sidelined with an injured hamstring.
General manager Dave Gettleman said the Giants will have a workout for the wide receivers on Saturday,
“We’re going to do something,” Gettleman said.
Naturally, Gettleman was asked about Beckham. Gettleman wanted no parts of it.
“Odell Beckham plays for the Cleveland Browns now. We’re moving on,” Gettleman said when asked about the GQ article released earlier this week in which Beckham said he kept the Giants’ brand alive. “Wish him the best.”
After a follow-up question about Beckham, Gettleman abruptly cut it off.
“No more Odell questions. We all know that this is an iconic franchise that has won four Super Bowls and other world championships. That is the brand. That is the brand.”
– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL and the New York Giants. Please like and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.
