Kenny Golladay is not seeking an exit through the back door from his nightmare season.
After appearing on the Giants’ injury report Wednesday and Thursday as a limited practice participant due to a hamstring strain, Golladay declared that he is “okay to go” and prepared to play against the Lions on Sunday. On Sunday, the Giants’ highest-paid player dropped a pass and was benched in the second half against his previous team, the Texans. There was speculation that the injury would spare the Giants the difficult decision of whether to bench him against his former team.
When asked what role he anticipates, Golladay, who was limping in the locker room on Sunday, responded, “I’m ready for anything.”
Once upon a time, Lions wide out Golladay led the NFL with 11 receiving touchdowns in 2019. Those were better, albeit less lucrative, times for Golladay, who has gone four games without a catch and missed four games due to a knee ailment since Week 1.
On Thursday, Kenny Golladay engages in drills at Giants practice.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Thursday Kenny Golladay addresses the media.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“There are certainly some pleasant recollections there,” Golladay added. “For me, it’s just like any other game. I don’t really care about all of that [additional motivation].”
Since signing a $72 million, four-year free-agent contract with the Giants, Golladay has scored 0 touchdowns in 19 games.
“If you find a home with a team and they want to re-sign you, that’s fantastic,” said Golladay. “However, if you execute everything well and get a chance to break into the market, it should be virtually every player’s goal. Almost as if you were being recruited again. They did not desire my return. That’s quite cool. I signed here.”
Last week, Giants supporters jeered when both passes to Golladay went incomplete. But he continues to view himself as the player he was at his prime.
Golladay stated, “I never think less of myself at all.” “I still believe I am able to perform such tasks. It boils down to taking advantage of chances when they present themselves. You always want to go out and make amends for your previous error.”
As part of MetLife’s “Inside the Huddle” campaign, Giants captains Julian Love and Graham Gano are auctioning off experiences in order to generate funds for at-risk youngsters. The online auction continues until November 29 and benefits the Harlem Giants and Far Rockaway Giants of the NYPD Foundation. MetLife will match $30,000 in contributions.
Gano is conducting a kicking session at the training facility for four individuals. At the facility, Love is hosting a game night featuring pingpong, cornhole, and other games.
“I may play left-handed if the contribution is substantial,” Love joked. “This is my handicap, which I will give away. It’s enjoyable. As a child, I would have jumped at the chance to play beside a professional football player. Whoever can contribute funds to this worthy cause is urged to do so.
Wan’Dale Robinson (hamstring) is no longer participating in practice. If he is unable to participate on Sunday, the Giants’ receiving corps will consist of Darius Slayton, Richie James, David Sills (inactive last game), Kenny Golladay, and rookie Isaiah Hodgins.
Robinson and Golladay “tightened up” during Wednesday’s practice, per head coach Brian Daboll, due to extensive stretching.
LG The team has added Josh Ezeudu (neck) to its injury report. This opened the door for Shane Lemieux, a predicted preseason starter who has yet to play due to a toe injury that left him on injured reserve.
Shane will gradually receive more reps, according to Daboll.
Defensive end Dexter Lawrence (back) and defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (illness) were both upgraded to limited participants. No status change for non-participation S or limited participants TE Daniel Bellinger (eye). Dane Belton (clavicle), RT Evan Neal (knee), and OLB Jihad Ward are out with injuries (thumb).
Daboll stated that Neal “moved about a bit” but would likely miss his third consecutive game on Sunday.