A precious moment for the rookie is a strange source of pain for the Giants.
Late in the fourth quarter of the opening game, sixth-round draft pick Darius Muasau leaped over and intercepted a pass tipped by Dexter Lawrence, making it the Giants' only interception in 10 games this season.
“What happened in my first NFL game was a very special moment for me,” Muasau told the Post after Thursday's practice. “I brought everything back from that game and framed the jersey and the ball and put it up in my house. I remember Dex putting his big paw up and focusing on going up and receiving the ball; I just remember knowing there was a receiver next to me as well.”
If the Giants don't intercept a pass against the Buccaneers on Sunday, they will tie the NFL record for longest single-season drought by any team (10 games) since 1933.
Sam Darnold threw an interception to Muasau, making him an intact linebacker for two games from Week 1. The Giants will face Baker Mayfield next.
Darnold (No. 3) and Mayfield (No. 1) were the first two quarterbacks drafted in 2018, and both have bounced back with their fourth teams in their careers. Does the commonality end there?
“We have to do more,” Muasau said. “I feel like that's going to be the case again this week. Our defense is on top of it.”
CB Drew Phillips (hip) was added to the injury report after Thursday's practice, but was listed as a full participant.
LB Matt Adams (knee), TE Theo Johnson (back), OLB Kayvon Thibodeau (wrist), and RG Greg Van Roten (abdominal) have been upgraded to full participation.
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), Lawrence (knee), S Tyler Nubin (back) and Muasau (hamstring) remained limited.
The Giants avoided a 56-yard field goal in their last game against the Panthers in Germany.
The game was the first for strong-legged kicker Graham Gano in his return from a seven-game absence due to a hamstring injury, but he was still a weapon when the Giants' drive stalled near the 40-yard line. The question arose as to whether it would be possible. He will take another week off to recover after the walkover.
“In his first game back, we felt he was back in his normal range,” special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said. “We wouldn't have put him out there. [to play] If we didn't think he was capable, or if we necessarily had to condense his range. ”
Then again, the Giants had Gano out in Week 2, limited due to a groin injury.
