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- GIANTS SEEK FIRST WIN**
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Losing to Dallas and Atlanta by a combined five points, the Giants started 0-2 for the third consecutive year. They held double-digit leads in the fourth quarter of both games but were unable to finish. Now the Giants will look to flip the script on a short turnaround for "Thursday Night Football" at home against the Washington Redskins (1-1).
"I really do think we should be better than 0-2, and I told them that right away on Monday afternoon," coach Tom Coughlin said. "I told them I wasn't very pleased with the play as such, but I thought we could certainly be, even under these circumstances, be 2-0."
2. BEASON "PROBABLE" FOR DEBUT
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face Washington
LB JON BEASON Since suffering a knee sprain a month ago in the preseason, middle linebacker Jon Beason has not suited up for a game. But that will end Thursday night against the Redskins as the defensive captain is officially listed as "probable" after practicing fully Tuesday and Wednesday. In his place, Uani 'Unga led the Giants in tackles and also notched an interception. "I'm just looking for the nod, just looking for the nod, that's it," Beason said. "Going into the season, it was still sore and in years past I would risk it all for one play. You play in one game and you end of missing a lot more, so it was probably the smartest thing to do, maybe give something back early to gain a lot in the end."
WR RUEBEN RANDLE With four receptions for 28 yards on just seven targets, the Giants are looking to get Rueben Randle going this season after the wide receiver caught 71 passes for 938 yards in 2014. He may find some more opportunities in the slot this week following Preston Parker's release. "Primarily, I've been staying on the outside, so this game may present some opportunities for me to move to the slot," Randle said. "So I've been getting more reps in the slot this week. We'll see how it goes."
WR GEREMY DAVIS Parker's departure also means more work potentially for Geremy Davis, the Giants' sixth-round pick who recorded his first NFL reception late in last week's game. Davis, like all receivers in the Giants' offensive system, is prepared to play any of the positions. "I feel like all of us have multiple talents in the receiver room," Davis said. "That's why we all can play any position. Wherever we're lined up, they expect that role to be fulfilled with whoever has that position. Then just do it to the best of their ability."
![SAFETY BRANDON MERIWEATHER
The rest of the secondary will have to pick up the slack with the absence of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who has been ruled out with a concussion that he suffered in Week 2. While Jayron Hosley took over for him against the Falcons, there will be a major emphasis on the safeties. One of them, Brandon Meriweather, knows all about Washington, where he played from 2012-2014 and recorded nine interceptions.
"Well, a former safety from the Redskins we know, Brandon Meriweather," Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "And then they also have a rookie in [Landon] Collins who has done some good stuff. I've seen them play well, and be very active, doing a good job moving around, and disguising, and making plays for them."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/giants/vjg5vyfs0xnsrp8xhlrc.jpg)
SAFETY BRANDON MERIWEATHER The rest of the secondary will have to pick up the slack with the absence of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who has been ruled out with a concussion that he suffered in Week 2. While Jayron Hosley took over for him against the Falcons, there will be a major emphasis on the safeties. One of them, Brandon Meriweather, knows all about Washington, where he played from 2012-2014 and recorded nine interceptions. "Well, a former safety from the Redskins we know, Brandon Meriweather," Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "And then they also have a rookie in [Landon] Collins who has done some good stuff. I've seen them play well, and be very active, doing a good job moving around, and disguising, and making plays for them."
OL JUSTIN PUGH Rookie left tackle Ereck Flowers is doubtful for Thursday night with an ankle injury, which would likely move Justin Pugh over from left guard. As he did last week when Flowers left the Atlanta game, John Jerry took over at guard for Pugh. After playing right tackle the last two seasons and left guard in the first two games of 2015, Pugh could be in line to start his third different position in the NFL at left tackle, where he lined up throughout his college career at Syracuse. "Justin had a couple of opportunities to work in there as we went through Ereck Flowers' ankle injury about a week ago, and fortunately he had some snaps there, and John had moved in as well," Coughlin said. "It was good experience for them to be able to practice there and they'll see themselves… and hopefully make some adjustments or minor thoughts as far as how they can play that position better."
After playing in just four games in 2014, middle linebacker Jon Beason suffered a knee injury in the preseason, which has kept him out until now -- probably.
The defensive captain was able to practice fully this week and is officially listed as "probable" for Thursday night's game.
3. INJURY REPORT
For the Giants, WR Victor Cruz (calf), TE Jerome Cunningham (knee), DT Markus Kuhn (knee), DE Owa Odighizuwa (foot), and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (concussion) are out. LT Ereck Flowers (ankle) is doubtful. DE Robert Ayers (hamstring) is questionable. Beason, DT Jay Bromley (knee), TE Daniel Fells (foot), DL Cullen Jenkins (hamstring), and OL Geoff Schwartz (illness) are probable.
For the Redskins, WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), CB Justin Rogers (foot), LB Martrell Spaight (concussion, placed on IR) are out. LB Perry Riley Jr. (calf) and OT Tom Compton (calf) are questionable. OT Morgan Moses (knee), CB DeAngelo Hall (rib), NT Terrance Knighton (rib), OL Shawn Lauvao (calf), OL Kory Lichtensteiger (finger) are probable.
4. PUGH EXPERIENCED AT LEFT TACKLE
If Flowers cannot go on Thursday, then Justin Pugh would likely start at his third position in the NFL. After playing right tackle the first two years and left guard this season, Pugh slid over to left tackle when Flowers was forced to leave with the injury while John Jerry took over at left guard. But that wasn't the first time Pugh played at the position. He was a left tackle throughout his college career at Syracuse.
5. FIVE IN A ROW
In the NFC East's oldest rivalry that dates back to 1932, the Giants are currently on a four-game winning streak against the Redskins. That includes a 45-14 victory on "Thursday Night Football" last season when tight end Larry Donnell broke out with three touchdowns in the first half at FedEx Field.
6. RANDLE TO THE SLOT?
The Giants released wide receiver Preston Parker this week, opening up the possibility of moving Rueben Randle inside to the slot position. The Giants are trying to get Randle going as he caught just four passes for 28 yards in the first two weeks. Meanwhile, Parker's departure also means more work for Geremy Davis and Dwayne Harris.
7. COUSINS UNDER CENTER IN WASHINGTON
Playmakers on Washington's first-team offense, defense, and special teams, presented by Nike
QB KIRK COUSINS
FB DARREL YOUNG
RB ALFRED MORRIS
TE JORDAN REED
WR PIERRE GARCON
WR DESEAN JACKSON
RT MORGAN MOSES
RG BRANDON SCHERFF
LG SPENCER LONG
CENTER JOSH LERIBEUS
LT TRENT WILLIAMS
DE CHRIS BAKER
NT TERRANCE KNIGHTON
DE JASON HATCHER
WLB RYAN KERRIGAN
LB TRENT MURPHY
MLB KENNAN ROBINSON
MLB PERRY RILEY JR.
CB DEANGELO HALL
CB CHRIS CULLIVER
SS TRENTON ROBINSON
FS DASHON GOLDSON
PUNTER TRESS WAY
KICKER DUSTIN HOPKINS
Kirk Cousins is the starter in Washington while Robert Griffin III has been inactive for the first two weeks. Cousins is 0-2 against the Giants in his career, throwing one touchdown to six interceptions.
Last week, however, Cousins was 23 of 27 for 203 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins' victory over the Rams.
8. TWO-HEADED RUSHING ATTACK
Through two weeks, Washington boasts the NFL's No. 1 ground game, led by Pro Bowl running back Alfred Morris. Meanwhile, rookie third-round pick Matt Jones had a breakout game last week with 123 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
9. ELI & ODELL CHASE MORE MILESTONES
While becoming the 15th player in NFL history to pass for 40,000 yards, Eli Manning passed Pro Football Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas for 14th place on the all-time list. Next up is Joe Montana, who is 311 yards ahead of Manning. Meanwhile, Odell Beckham Jr. has two games to gain 99 yards in order to become the most prolific receiver through the first 16 games of a career. Bill Groman owns the record with 1,593 yards.
10. JAY FUND RECOGNIZES CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation will recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month on Thursday. Eight families of pediatric cancer patients will attend the game as special guests of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation. Coughlin and his coaching staff will also sport his nonprofit's #GoGold pins to show their support.
View the best photos from the practice field
