Giants’ Darius Slayton, Darren Waller absent from spring OTAs; team to joint practice with Lions, Jets

Veteran Giants receiver Darius Slayton and tight end Darren Waller both have been absent from OTA practices so far, coach Brian Daboll said Thursday.

Slayton, 27, is seeking an adjustment to his contract, while Waller, 31, is considering retirement.

“[We will] let Darren take what [time] he needs to take, and once the decision is made, we’ll go from there,” Daboll said. “We have conversations. I’ve spoken to Slay… Whenever they decide, they decide. Darius is obviously under contract. So again, whenever it comes up, we’ll deal with it then.”

Tight end Daniel Bellinger, a 2022 Joe Schoen fourth-round pick, also was a notable absence on Thursday, along with receiver Isaiah McKenzie and defensive linemen Jordan Phillips, Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Timmy Horne.

ON THE SIDE

Projected starting right tackle Evan Neal, backup tackle Matt Nelson, linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons, corner Aaron Robinson and outside linebacker Benton Whitley all were on the side working with trainers during practice. Neal is recovering from ankle surgery.

Veteran safety Jalen Mills and tight end Tyree Jackson also left during the middle of practice to receive attention from the training staff for unspecified ailments.

Left tackle Andrew Thomas practiced but did not participate in 11-on-11 team reps.

PRACTICE NOTES

Josh Ezeudu struggled badly as the first-team left tackle against pass rusher Brian Burns with Thomas sitting out the team periods. Burns was asked if he counted how many sacks he had during practice.

“Nah. I count them on film. They had some touchdowns they gotta take back, though,” he said, alluding to plays that the offense continued after would-be sacks. Drew Lock seemed like he was under pressure, if not sacked, before delivering his touchdown to Malik Nabers.

Ezeudu and Yodny Cajuste manned the tackle spots, with Jermaine Eluemunor at left guard and Jon Runyan Jr. at right guard bookending center John Michael Schmitz.

Cor’Dale Flott manned the outside corner spot opposite Deonte Banks. Dane Belton was a first-team safety, while Nick McCloud worked often in the slot.

LIONS IN JERSEY

Daboll said the Giants will do joint practices with the Detroit Lions for a second straight year when the Lions visit them for the first preseason game in early August. Daboll also said the Giants will “most likely” practice one day against the Jets in Florham Park.

The Giants’ next practice open to the media will be next Thursday.