Giants’ center John Michael Schmitz misses sixth straight practice

New York Giants starting center John Michael Schmitz missed his sixth straight practice on Sunday due to a shoulder injury. That makes it unlikely that Schmitz will do more than walk-throughs, if he does anything at all, during the padded joint practices Monday and Tuesday against the Detroit Lions.

Head coach Brian Daboll said that Schmitz is the “same” as he has been.

“Rehabbing. It’s getting better, just not ready to go,” Daboll said.

Schmitz was the Giants’ second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, selected with the hope he could anchor the middle of their offensive line after several years of shuffling at center.

Schmitz missed four games last season with an injury to the same shoulder that is now causing him to miss practice. After a sub-par rookie season, the Giants need improvement from Schmitz in Year 2. This injury, and the missed practice time it is causing, will not help.

The Giants have had to re-configure their offensive line twice already in training camp. First, when Evan Neal landed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, Jermaine Eluemunor moved to right tackle with Aaron Stinnie taking over at left guard.

Schmitz’s injury, and the signing of veteran interior offensive lineman Greg Van Roten, have led to another iteration of the line. This one has Van Roten at center, with Runyan at left guard and Stinnie at right guard.

Whenever Schmitz returns, the expectation is that Stinnie and Van Roten will compete at right guard.

What’s up with Neal?

When training camp began, GM Joe Schoen said Neal was “not far off” from returning. That does not appear to be the case.

Neal remains on PUP and has rarely been seen on the side running or working with trainers during the first two weeks of training camp.

“He’s just rehabbing. When he’s ready, he’ll be ready to go out there. But, he’s not ready,” Daboll said.

For the second time since training camp began, Daboll on Sunday refused to guarantee that the 2022 No. 7 overall pick would be ready to start the season.

“Look, he’s working hard. He’s trying to do everything he can do to get better. He’s just not ready to go yet. When he is, he’ll be ready,” Daboll said. “I’m not going to get into all the particulars. He’s rehabbing. When he’s ready, he’ll be ready.

“I’m just on today’s practice and this week. He won’t be ready to go, I would say, against these (Detroit) Lions. We’ll take it, however his rehab process goes, which I can’t tell you how that’s going to go, he’s making progress. I think he’s doing a little bit more each day. They’re backing off on him some days. And when he’s ready, he’ll be ready.”

Daboll was non-committal regarding what Neal’s role might be if and when he returns.

“That’s down the road,” he said. “Let’s get him healthy first, and when he comes back, we’ll deal with that.”

None of that sounds promising for a player the Giants still have (had?) hopes for entering the season.

More injury news

• Tight end Jack Stoll has a concussion
• Wide receiver/kick returner Isaiah McKenzie returned to practice on Sunday after taking a shot to the hips/back on Friday and leaving practice early.
• Wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton missed practice with a lower leg injury. Dan Duggan of The Athletic reported that BFW has a hyperextended knee.
• Darius Slayton, who only did individual drills on Friday, was a full practice participant on Sunday.