EAST RUTHERFORD - The New York Giants made the move without hesitation, albeit due to necessity, and it's safe to say team brass was comfortable doing it, too.
The first practice of training camp began with veteran Jermaine Eluemunor taking over at right tackle with the first-team offense with Evan Neal sidelined as he continues to recover from ankle surgery. It's where Eluemunor played in Las Vegas last season and excelled under the tutelage of Carmen Bricillo, who coached him with the Raiders.
And there certainly was a feeling that, if Eluemunor played to the level anticipated, he might just keep the job.
That optimism lasted an hour.
Because the last thing the Giants' offensive line, beleaguered for years now, needed was the scene that played out at the end of an 11-on-11 drill when Eluemunor dropped to one knee post-play and stayed there in obvious discomfort.
Eluemunor appeared to take an inadvertent forearm/elbow from teammate Dexter Lawrence to his left side and abdomen, and the training staff was quickly out on the field to check on him after the whistle. He eventually walked off to the side and looked to be stretching out his midsection under the guise of trainer Ronnie Barnes.
A cart was in position to take Eluemunor away from the practice fields, but he wound up walking with Barnes and another staffer inside for further observation. Third-year pro Joshua Ezeudu finished the practice with the starters at right tackle after beginning the session as the second-team left tackle.
Eluemunor spent the spring working at left guard, but with Neal on the active/PUP (physically unable to perform) list, the Giants kicked him outside. Giants coach Brian Daboll indicated Wednesday morning before practice that, if and when Neal was healthy and ready to be activated from PUP, he would not necessarily take the job back.
The Giants used veteran Aaron Stinnie at left guard, but they had a positive visit with veteran free agent guard Greg Van Roten on Monday. Van Roten had a solid season last year with the Raiders and there was a chance the Giants could sign him even before Eluemunor's injury.
Daniel Jones back as QB1
For the first time since his ACL surgery on the final play of the first quarter last November, Daniel Jones was the Giants' starting quarterback in team drills. He participated in 7-on-7 sessions only during the offseason program, but Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen indicated Wednesday morning during their pre-camp news conference that Jones would get most of, if not, all of the reps with the first team.
Jones was a bit rusty, misfiring on several intermediate throws, which was understandable. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers had to adjust on a flag route in the deep corner, juggling and dropping a Jones throw.
But overall, Jones' presence was a boost given the circ*mstances surrounding his offseason.
From uneven to poor play last season, the beating he took behind a porous offensive line, a season-ending knee injury and the Giants' pursuit of a quarterback at the top of the NFL Draft, albeit an empty one, Jones took a significant step forward by accomplishing his goal of being ready on the first day of camp.
"Obviously, you're not excited about it," Jones said with a chuckle when asked about Schoen telling him at the start of the offseason that the Giants were considering quarterbacks in the draft, a storyline that continues to unfold on "Hard Knocks," which concludes next Tuesday night. "But they have a job to do. I've got a job to do. So, it is what it is and we're at this point now, I'm grateful for the opportunity I have, excited to play football and that's kinda my focus now."
Sights and sounds
Isaiah Simmons worked with the cornerbacks during individual drills Wednesday. He will get looks in the nickel/slot and at linebacker next to Bobby Okereke in sub-packages in pass coverage. ... One thing that stood out from the first practice: the running backs' involvement in the passing game. Rookie Tyrone Tracy, Eric Gray and Dante "Turbo" Miller all were smooth running routes as the Giants, at least on Day 1, seemed to emphasize throws to the backs both in motion and across the middle. ... Defensive tackles Ryder Anderson and Jordan Phillips both knocked down passes. Phillips' tip led to an interception of Drew Lock for outside linebacker Boogie Basham with the second team. ... Rookie safety Tyler Nubin appeared to be cramping up in his calf, but stretched out and appeared to be fine afterward.
