Key Players Miss Practice For New York Giants

The New York Giants are in rough shape following Monday's Week 3 23-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, defensive lineman Leonard Williams and wide receiver Kadarius Toney both appear unlikely to play in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears.

WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring), DL Leonard Williams (knee) and WR Wan'Dale Robinson (knee) all didn't practice Thursday.

Saw Williams and Toney running sprints in the distance with trainers. Still seem like longshots this week. #Giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 29, 2022

Williams missed Week 3 after injuring his knee in the Giants' Week 2 19-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers, and Toney has seen minimal snaps this season while dealing with a hamstring injury. Williams, the team's highest-paid player, is a crucial inside presence for the Giants defense, having led the team in quarterback hits in each of the past two seasons. Toney, the Giants' 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was expected to see his usage increase following the season-ending injury to Sterling Shepard. If both are unavailable, the Giants could find themselves with massive holes on both sides of the ball.

Of the two players, Toney's unavailability is a greater long-term concern. Williams is the superior player, but Toney's status with the Giants appears tenuous just one year after being drafted. New head coach Brian Daboll has shown little deference to players acquired in the previous regime. If Toney can't fight his way onto the field, he could become a forgotten man in the Giants receiving corps. Following Sterling Shepard's unfortunate injury, Toney could be the quick and shifty wide receiver the Giants need. Or he could fade into obscurity.