Giants vs. Vikings: 10 X-Factors Deciding the Game
New York Giants Weekly Update: Practice Highlights, Roster Moves & How to Watch
Welcome to your kid-friendly guide to the latest Giants news! We’ll break down everything happening with the team—from star players returning to practice, to kicker competitions, and even a famous face coming back to New York.
Ways to Watch & Listen
Whether you’re at home, in the car, or outside the New York area, here’s how to catch all the action:
TV & Streaming (In the New York Market)
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Giants.com & Giants App | Stream the game live (only works if you’re in the local market) |
| Pregame Show | Starts at 12:30 PM – "Giants Pregame Show presented by Quest" |
| TV Announcers | Bob Papa (Play-by-Play), Carl Banks (Analyst), Phil Simms (Analyst), Howard Cross (Sideline) |
Radio Broadcasts
English Radio (WFAN/ESPN Radio):
- Announcers: Paul Dottino (Play-by-Play), Shaun O’Hara (Analyst), John Schmeelk (Sideline)
- Pregame: "Giants Gameday" starts at 12:00 PM (presented by Hackensack Meridian Health)
- Postgame: "Giants Extra Point"
- Pre/Post Hosts: John Schmeelk & Tiki Barber
Spanish Radio:
- Station: Que Buena 1280 AM (Streaming Only)
- Play-by-Play: Nestor Rosario
- Presented by: Ford
Giants Radio Network (Outside New York Market)
If you live outside the NY area, tune in to these local stations:
- Albany, NY: WPYX 106.5 FM
- Cortland & Ithaca, NY: 96.3 FM ("The Buzzer") & WYXL-FM 97.3 HD3
- Hartford, CT: WPOP 1410 AM, 100.9 FM
- Easton, PA: WEEX 1230 AM & 94.7 FM
- Syracuse, NY: WTLA 1200 AM & 97.7/100.1 FM
- Utica, NY: WTLB 1310 AM & 96.5 FM
- Oswego: WSGO 1440 AM / 100.1 FM
- Binghamton, NY: WENE 1430 AM
Satellite Radio
- SiriusXM NFL Radio: Listen here
IMPORTANT: Streaming on Giants.com and the Giants App only works if you’re physically located in the New York market. If you’re traveling or live elsewhere, use the Radio Network or SiriusXM!
1 Step Closer: Malik Nabers Returns to Team Drills
Big News! The Giants’ exciting rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (wearing jersey #1) took a huge step forward in his recovery.
What Happened?
- Thursday Practice: Nabers participated in team drills for the first time
- Outfit: He wore a red non-contact jersey (this means "don’t tackle me!")
- Team Reaction: Everyone was thrilled to see him back on the field
What the Coaches & Players Said
| Person | Quote |
|---|---|
| Coach Harbaugh | "Everybody was happy that he was out there… it’s a big step to get into team drills. So, for him to do that was – yeah, it was a milestone, I would say, for our team." |
| Quarterback Dart | "It’s great to have him back out there… he has a certain presence about him anytime he touches the field… just can’t wait for it to be full go when the time comes." |
ELI5 Explanation
Think of practice like school recess. Nabers was hurt and could only watch from the sidelines. Now he’s back playing tag with his friends—but wearing a special red shirt that says "tag me gently!" The next step is taking the red shirt off and playing full speed.
Must-See FG: Kicker Competition Heats Up
Last year the Giants used FOUR different kickers! This year, they’re trying to find the one early.
The Two Competitors
- Ben Sauls – Returning player (was on the team last year)
- Dominic Zvada – Undrafted rookie (wasn’t picked in the draft, but signed anyway)
The "Game-Winning" Moment
Wednesday’s Practice Setup:
- Coach Harbaugh (who used to coach special teams) created a fake game situation
- Put 10 minutes on the clock, score tied
- Said: "Play it out like a real scrimmage!"
What Happened:
- Teams traded punts (kicking the ball away on 4th down)
- Zvada nailed a 62-YARD FIELD GOAL!
Coach Reactions
| Coach | Reaction |
|---|---|
| Harbaugh | "I thought he was going to make it… It was exciting. It’s fun." |
| Special Teams Coach Chris Horton | Had told Harbaugh the "makeable range" was from the 42-yard line (kicking from the 35) |
| Actual Kick | Was from the 44-yard line (even farther back!) |
IMPORTANT: Harbaugh joked he had to "give Horton a hard time" because the kick was longer than they thought was possible!
What Harbaugh Wants in a Kicker
"Having a big leg is a big deal. Kicking it straight consistently is a bigger deal."
Translation: Power is nice. Accuracy is everything.
Bonus: New Long Snapper
- Ben Mann – Undrafted rookie learning to snap the ball perfectly
- Working with Jordan Stout (All-Pro punter & holder)
- This trio (Snapper → Holder → Kicker) is called the "battery"
Odell Back-ham: OBJ Returns to the Giants!
One of the most electric players ever to wear a Giants uniform is back—Odell Beckham Jr. (OBJ)!
The History
- Drafted by Giants: 12 years ago (2014)
- Last Game as a Giant: Dec 2, 2018 – Giants beat Bears 30-27 in overtime at MetLife Stadium
- Final Catch: A 1-yard touchdown from Eli Manning (late 3rd quarter)
Why He Came Back
"I couldn’t live with me feeling like I gave up on myself and I never [saw] through my dream that I’ve been chasing since I was four years old."
The Conversation with Coach Harbaugh
| Coach Harbaugh Said | OBJ Responded |
|---|---|
| "I’ve got a really good relationship with you, I don’t want you to come here, and then something happens and you can’t make the team." | "I can live with me giving my best effort, and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. I couldn’t live with giving up on myself." |
OBJ’s Mindset Now
- "Stay in the bag" = Stay focused, keep working
- Goals: Get open, catch the ball, score touchdowns
- Attitude: "I’m all for competition. I’ve always been like that. I feel like I rise to the occasion."
FUN FACT: Expect to see lots of OBJ jerseys in the stands on Saturday!
The Weekly Wire: Roster Moves
Since coming back from West Virginia (where they held training camp), the Giants shuffled their defensive backs.
New Signings (Added to Team)
| Player | Position | Experience | Cool Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ugochukwu Amadi | DB | 5th year pro | 85 games played, 17 starts; won Lombardi Award in college (best player regardless of position based on character & resilience!) |
| Sam Webb | DB | 3rd year pro | 36 games, 5 starts; undrafted from Missouri Western State |
Amadi’s Career Highlights:
- Teams: Seahawks, Titans, Chiefs, Saints
- 186 tackles, 22 passes defensed, 12 tackles for loss
- 2 sacks, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
- College (Oregon): Played ALL 51 games, 4 TDs (3 on interception returns!)
Released (Let Go)
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DJ James | Waived/Injured | Means he’s hurt; if he clears waivers, goes to Giants’ injured reserve |
| David Long | Released | Veteran DB |
| Sam Roberts | Released (Monday) | Defensive lineman |
On the Docket: What’s Next?
Upcoming Schedule
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Joint Practice | Giants travel to Miami to practice with the Dolphins |
| Next Saturday | Preseason Game | Giants @ Dolphins – 4:00 PM kickoff |
| Friday, Aug 28 | Final Preseason Game | Giants vs. Jets (hometown rivalry!) |
| Sunday, Aug 30 (6 PM) | Roster Deadline | Must cut down to 53 players for the regular season |
IMPORTANT: The 53-man roster is the final team that starts the real season. Right now, they have ~90 players. ~37 players will be cut in the next two weeks. Every practice matters!
Summary: This Week in a Nutshell
| Category | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| Watch/Listen | Game on Giants.com/app (in-market); Radio network nationwide; SiriusXM everywhere |
| Malik Nabers | Back at practice in red jersey – huge milestone in recovery |
| Kickers | Zvada hit 62-yarder in simulated game moment; Sauls also strong; accuracy > power |
| OBJ Returns | Beckham back chasing childhood dream; embraces competition |
| Roster Moves | Added 2 experienced DBs (Amadi, Webb); cut 3 players (James, Long, Roberts) |
| Next Steps | Joint practice in Miami → Preseason vs Dolphins → Final preseason vs Jets → Final cuts Aug 30 |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Can I watch the game on Giants.com if I live in California?
No. The streaming on Giants.com and the Giants App is geographically restricted to the New York market only. Use the Giants Radio Network station near you or SiriusXM.
2. What does "red non-contact jersey" mean?
It’s a bright red practice jersey that tells teammates: "Do not tackle this player." It’s used for players coming back from injury so they can practice without getting hit.
3. Why did the Giants use 4 kickers last year?
Usually because of injuries, inconsistency, or performance issues. It’s very unusual—most teams use 1 kicker all season. That’s why they’re being extra careful choosing this year!
4. What is a "joint practice"?
Two NFL teams practice together for a day or two. They run drills against each other instead of just their own teammates. It’s like a scrimmage but more controlled. Great preparation for the preseason game!
5. What happens to players who get cut on August 30th?
- Veterans (4+ years): Become free agents – can sign with any team immediately
- Younger players: Go on waivers – other teams can claim them for 24 hours
- Unclaimed: Can join the Giants’ practice squad (16 players who practice but don’t play games)
Go Giants! The road to the 53-man roster is heating up. Every practice, every kick, every catch counts now!