Giants’ COVID outbreak decimates secondary ahead of Cowboys matchup

The Giants literally could not practice a “dime” defense Friday and might not be able to use it against the Cowboys’ high-scoring offense. 

The common formation requires six defensive backs and right now the Giants only have five available between the active roster and the practice squad after safety J.R. Reed and cornerback Natrell Jamerson became the latest to test positive for COVID-19. 

Starting cornerbacks Adoree’ and Aaron Robinson already are out because of positive tests and safety Xavier McKinney is in isolation as an unvaccinated high-risk close contact until Saturday, with a chance to play if he continues testing negative. 

“We’re talking through a lot of moves that could happen defensively and schematically,” head coach Joe Judge said on his way to a defensive meeting to talk through adjustments. 

To further complicate matters, the Giants also are managing a flu outbreak, according to Judge. Cornerback Jarren Williams — expected to be elevated from the practice squad to start — and safety Steven Parker were limited in practice due to an illness. All symptomatic players who test negative for COVID-19 are given a flu test, which takes longer for results. Six players were limited with an illness at some point in the week. 

“We always have a decision with those guys,” Judge said. “Is it safe to keep around our other players? Is it best to send them home? Do we want to isolate those guys in a different part of the building? Today, we felt it was best to get the players all away.” 

The full list of defensive backs with no jeopardizing circumstances Sunday: James Bradberry, Logan Ryan and Julian Love. 

“You’ve got to do what’s asked of you,” Ryan said. “We obviously didn’t have outbreaks this big or bad last year for the Giants, but you kind of do have a lot of experience of just going in completely unknown of who’s playing.” 

The Giants began Friday with position meetings in the indoor bubble but those were cut short as alerts of more positive tests and symptoms came through. Practice was canceled in favor of a masks-on walk-through for 30 minutes (non-participants were socially distanced) before players were sent home to join another 90 minutes of Zoom meetings. The Giants will be back on the field Saturday. 

“The Cowboys aren’t going to care about how many DBs we have,” Ryan said. 

Nothing better summed up the situation than hearing Judge add reminding players about “washing your hands” to his list of coach responsibilities. 

“None of the guys have done anything that we would call foolish,” Judge said, “or anything that’s or anything that’s putting themselves at risk other than just living a normal life.”