Joe Judge has long pointed to the Giants' preseason finale next week against the New England Patriots as the game he wants to play his starters in the lone appearance for most of them before the regular season begins in three weeks.
That means after joint practices with New England on Wednesday and Thursday, vital players like Daniel Jones, Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard on offense and Leonard Williams, Blake Martinez and James Bradberry will make their 2021 summer debuts Sunday against the Patriots.
Will Saquon Barkley join them?
"We have not (made a decision)," Judge said after the Giants' 17-13 preseason loss in Cleveland today. "We are going to the doctors and approach it as we get closer. We will have conversations tomorrow and will definitely be increasing what he's doing. I can't tell you exactly what that's going to be. I don't know at this point if that's going to include 11-on-11 or 7-on-7, or whatever it may be, but we're going to make sure we're very calculated with what we do. At the same time, he had a great week this week with the trainers and with what he could give us on the field. I know he is tapping his foot and getting anxious. As soon as we get the greenlight from the medical staff, we'll keep going."
Barkley, who was activated off the physically unable to perform/active list on Aug. 9, has been kept out of team drills in practice and the first two games. Is Barkley, who underwent knee surgery last Oct. 20, on a timeline that will put him on the field for the opener against the Denver Broncos?
"I don't have an answer there," Judge said, "but I wouldn't eliminate any possibilities."
Check out the best photos from the Giants' preseason contest against the Cleveland Browns.
Rysen John (44)
Gary Brightwell (37)
Rysen John (44)
Raymond Johnson III (91), Willie Henry (90), David Moa (96)
Devante Downs (52)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Trent Harris (93)
Dante Pettis (13)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Gary Brightwell (37)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Riley Dixon (9)
Dante Pettis (13)
Dante Pettis (13)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Trent Harris (93)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Niko Lalos (57), Devante Downs (52),
David Sills V (84)
David Sills V (84)
David Moa (96), Raymond Johnson III (91)
Head Coach Joe Judge
David Sills V (84)
Matt Cole (83)
Niko Lalos (57), Damion Willis (87)
Niko Lalos (57)
Riley Dixon (9)
Ted Larsen (69), Jackson Barton (72)
Matt Cole (83)
Chad Slade (62), Brett Heggie (61)
Corey Clement (30)
Corey Clement (30)
Niko Lalos (57)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Cam Brown (47)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Brian Lewerke (6), Corey Clement (30)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44), Devontae Booker (28), Mike Glennon (2)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Trent Harris (93)
Devante Downs (52), Oshane Ximines (53)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69),
Madre Harper (45), Rodarius Williams (25)
Elijah Qualls (94), Oshane Ximines (53)
Ryan Anderson (46)
B.J. Hill (95)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69), Jonotthan Harrison (64), Kenny Wiggins (79), Jackson Barton (72)
Elijhaa Penny (39)
Elijhaa Penny (39), Kenny Wiggins (79)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69), Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64), Kenny Wiggins (79), Ted Larsen (69)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
Madre Harper (45)
Niko Lalos (57)
Dante Pettis (13)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
Alex Bachman (15)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
David Moa (96)
Elijhaa Penny (39), Saquon Barkley (26),
Madre Harper (45)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28), Elijhaa Penny (39)
Madre Harper (45)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Chad Slade (62)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28), Saquon Barkley (26)
Chad Slade (62)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28)
Mike Glennon (2)
Devontae Booker (28)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Brian Lewerke (6), Gary Brightwell (37)
Mike Glennon (2), Devontae Booker (28)
Leonard Williams (99), Quincy Wilson (28)
Julian Love (20)
David Sills V (84)
Devontae Booker (28), Mike Glennon (2)
Reggie Ragland (55), Julian Love (20)
David Sills V (84)
David Sills V (84), Jackson Barton (72)
Baker Mayfield (6), Daniel Jones (8)
Nick Gates (65), Johnny Stanton (40)
Jedrick Wills Jr. (71), Xavier McKinney (29), Mack Wilson (51)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (44) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47) runs up the field during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Brian Lewerke (6) drops back to hand off the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Brian Lewerke (6) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge watches as his team plays during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell (37) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants linebacker Oshane Ximines (53) runs towards the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants defensive end Raymond Johnson III (91) rushes during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants Ted Larsen, left, congratulates quarterback Brian Lewerke after an 8-yard pass to David Sills during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge watches during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Franks (87) cannot hold onto the ball under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Brain Lewerke hands the ball off during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants defensive tackle David Moa (96) celebrates after a sack during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) rushes against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants fullback Eli Penny (32) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants Quincy Wilson runs after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Casey Kreiter (58), Kaden Smith (82), Julian Love (20)
Madre Harper (45)
Reggie Ragland (55)
Leonard Williams (99)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26), Darius Slayton (86)
Dexter Lawrence (97), B.J. Hill (95)
Austin Johnson (98)
Chad Slade (62)
Cam Brown (47)
Jake Hausmann (49)
Logan Ryan (23)
Chad Slade (62)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Chad Slade (62)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Carson Tinker (46)
Carson Tinker (46)
Carson Tinker (46)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Mike Glennon (2)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3), Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3), Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Engram (88)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Matt Peart (74), Andrew Thomas (78)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Devontae Booker (28)
Matt Peart (74)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Graham Gano (5)
Chad Slade (62)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Matt Cole (83)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Engram (88)
Evan Engram (88)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Evan Engram (88)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Corey Clement (30)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Julian Love (20)
Brett Heggie (61)
Corey Clement (30)
Austin Mack (81)
Jackson Barton (72)
Matt Peart (74)
Alex Bachman (15)
Casey Kreiter (58)
David Sills V (84)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Daniel Jones (8)
Nick Gates (65), Will Hernandez (71)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
B.J. Hill (95), Cam Brown (47), Saquon Barkley (26)
Brett Heggie (61)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Sam Beal (34)
James Bradberry (24)
Sam Beal (34)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Niko Lalos (57), Shane Lemieux (66)
Niko Lalos (57)
Logan Ryan (23)
Chad Slade (62), Riley Dixon (9)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Logan Ryan (23)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47), Logan Ryan (23)
Carson Tinker (46)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Corey Clement (30)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Tae Crowder (48)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Austin Johnson (98)
Leonard Williams (99)
Devante Downs (52)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Blake Martinez (54)
Evan Engram (88)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Danny Shelton (75)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kenny Golladay (19), Sterling Shepard (3), Jason Garrett
Kenny Golladay (19)
*Tight end Kyle Rudolph has been on PUP/active list since camp opened. Might he be activated this week?
"He had a good week this week at rehab," Judge said. "When I talked to him with the medical team, it's optimistic that there may be a chance coming up to get off. Again, that is an individual basis so we will see what the medical team says on that and see if we can get him out there with the team working."
*Safety Julian Love was asked if Judge calls him "duct tape" because he's versatile.
"Listen, it might be a Philly thing where he's from and how he grew up," Love said. "Something is broken, and you put duct tape on it. I don't know how his household was taken care of, but that is kind of his expression. Just do it all. I take pride in that. Obviously, over the years to get better, try to establish how I want to be as a player and that involves doing a lot. I like it. I like doing a lot."
So does wide receiver Matt Cole, who distinguished himself during the game at cornerback, which he had last played in which school. Cole has already earned his own nickname.
"Have you ever seen (My) Big Fat Greek Wedding – the dad always used to put Windex on everything?" Love said. "We will say Matt Cole is Windex."
Cole, meanwhile, has his own nickname idea.
"I do not want to toot my own horn, but I do not think a receiver caught the ball on my side of the field – Cole World," he said. "I think I did pretty good. I just stepped up and just filled in a spot. My coaches helped on the side that are sure about the defenses that they run. I would just charge."
*The Giants' offensive starters were quarterback Mike Glennon, running back Devontae Booker, wide receivers C.J. Board and Dante Pettis, tight ends Kaden Smith and Rysen John and an offensive line, from left to right tackle, of Jackson Barton, Kenny Wiggins, Jonotthan Harrison, Ted Larsen and Chad Slade.
The defensive starters were linemen B.J. Hill, Raymond Johnson III and David Moa, linebackers Ryan Anderson, Oshane Ximines, Reggie Ragland and Devante Downs, cornerback Madre Harper and Rodarius Williams and safeties Xavier McKinney and Julian Love.
*Thirty-three players on the Giants' 85-man roster did not play.
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