Giants’ Aaron Robinson set to return after appendix surgery
Aaron Robinson is in line to play Sunday against the Bears after missing the Giants’ past two games. The second-year cornerback started in the season opener at Tennessee before a series of events unfolded that left him hospitalized and in need of having his appendix removed.
The night after the victory over the Titans, Robinson began feeling stomach discomfort. He thought it was something he ate. It got worse overnight and into that Tuesday, and he realized he needed to alert the Giants’ medical staff. He underwent tests and was told he needed surgery.
“Honestly, I wasn’t going for it at first,’’ Robinson said Thursday after practice. “I’m asking a million questions. I did some research myself. It could have been more serious than it was, so I went along with the plan.’’
Robinson said his rehab has focused on being careful with the wound and stretching the area as much as possible. He was a limited participant in practice, and head coach Brian Daboll made sure to check in on him after individual drills. Robinson gave Daboll a thumbs-up signal.
“I’m hopeful,’’ Daboll said of the possibility Robinson will return this weekend. “He’s got to get out there. It’s a little bit of a different injury, so we’ll see. I’m hopeful we’ll see him. See him run around, see how he feels. I want to make sure the player feels comfortable.’’
The Giants need Robinson, because rookie Cor’Dale Flott is likely to miss the game with a calf injury.
“Have to get through some soreness, some after surgery pain and just working through that,’’ Robinson said.
“Building my confidence back up. Everything feels pretty good. I think I’ll be ready to go.’’
It sounds as if veteran linebacker Jaylon Smith, currently on the practice squad, could be in line for an elevation to the roster and, perhaps, a prominent role on defense.
“We’re going to play the best guy that we think is going to be available for us on Sunday,’’ defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said.
The Giants did not do a good job stopping the run last week against the Cowboys, allowing 176 rushing yards, as Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott repeatedly surged forward for extra yards. Tae Crowder does not appear to be in danger of losing any snaps, but Austin Calitro and rookie Micah McFadden could see their workload decreased if Smith makes his 2022 debut.
“Run and hit, tackle,’’ Martindale said. “He’s a little bit bigger than some of the guys we’ve had besides Tae. So as long as they can run, because you know what I’ve already told you there, if you have a slow [middle linebacker] you have a slow defense. I think that we’ll eventually at some time feed him in there.’’
Smith, 27, was a 2016 second-round pick of the Cowboys. Last season, he was with the Cowboys and Packers and also played four games (two starts) for the Giants. He had three highly productive seasons of 121, 142 and 154 tackles with the Cowboys before moving on.
It was another day of no practice for DL Leonard Williams (knee), WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) and WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee). Williams was running freely prior to practice. Daboll said LB Jihad Ward “looks good for the week.’’ … CBs Flott and Nick McCloud (hamstring) did not practice.
RB Antonio Williams, a fixture on special-teams units the past two games, was re-signed to the practice squad, taking the place of OT Roy Mbaeteka, who was released.