EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Reporting day at training camp for the New York Giants featured plenty of optimism. Aside from the team’s high hopes and Super Bowl aspirations, there was also perfect attendance and just a few lingering injuries.
No holdouts. No casualties. Minimal drama, and nothing involving Odell Beckham Jr.
The Giants are relatively healthy entering training camp. Only running back Shaun Draughn (ankle) will begin camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Defensive end Owa Odighizuwa was even back with the team after missing most of the spring as he dealt with personal issues. Odighizuwa was excused from minicamp last month, but the Giants were under the impression he would eventually return despite cryptic tweets during the offseason in which he said he needed to step away from football.
"It’s been a while [since we’ve known he wanted to continue playing]," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He has been ready to play. He had some things he had to take care of and he's out there ready to go and ready to compete."
This is a big summer and season for Odighizuwa's career. The 25-year-old will battle for a roster spot at a crowded position. The 2015 third-round pick is still in search of his first career sack.
Draughn is another player who will need to perform well this summer to solidify his spot on the roster. He was signed this offseason to a one-year, $1 million deal. The Giants return Paul Perkins, Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa and selected Wayne Gallman in the fourth round of the draft.
Coach Ben McAdoo also originally said that another offseason acquisition, Valentino Blake, could start camp on the PUP list. That was later rescinded.
McAdoo said Blake is dealing with a back injury.
There was also some uncertainty regarding veteran linebacker J.T. Thomas. He was still undergoing his physical Thursday afternoon. Thomas missed almost all of the 2016 season after tearing his ACL in the opener. He worked on the side with a trainer throughout the spring.
"He's going to be here, you know, right now, he's going to be here," Reese said. "But we have to make some decisions on how he comes out of the physical."
Tight end Rhett Ellison (calf) and cornerback Eli Apple (hamstring) were cleared after missing significant time at OTAs and minicamp this spring.
Quarterback Geno Smith also appears ready to begin practicing without limitation at training camp. He tore his ACL last season while playing for the New York Jets and the Giants had him limited throughout the spring.
Smith said on multiple occasions that he had no physical limitations, but the Giants were just playing it safe. He is battling veteran Josh Johnson and rookie Davis Webb for the backup job behind Eli Manning.