EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Nine months and nine days after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament, Wan'Dale Robinson reached a milestone he had aimed for since being helped off the MetLife Stadium field last Nov. 20. After spending the entire training camp working with athletic trainers on a side field, the Giants' second-year wide receiver was activated off the physically unable to perform list.
Had he stayed on PUP, Robinson would have had to miss at least the season's first four games. Instead, he participated in his first practice this afternoon.
"I wanted to go out there and show it even whenever I was just doing my rehab process that I'd be ready within those first four games so that they wouldn't have to sit me," Robinson said. "Then obviously, I'd have to have a little ramp up period if I was on the PUP and then maybe not been able to play for five or six games. Just wanted to get back out there, just get that chemistry back with (quarterback) Daniel (Jones), and just see what we can do from there.
"I'm ready. Right now, it's just going to be a little gradual build up, just kind of got back out there, get my feet back up under me today and just kind of go with the trainers and the coaching staff and just see where we are at from there."
View photos of the New York Giants' 2023 roster as it currently stands.
NT Dexter Lawrence II (97), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks
RB Saquon Barkley
OLB Boogie Basham
LB Darrian Beavers
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
OL Ben Bredeson
RB Matt Breida
ILB Cam Brown
WR Parris Campbell
RB Jashaun Corbin
ILB Carter Coughlin
DL D.J. Davidson
QB Tommy DeVito
QB Jacob Eason
CB Cor'Dale Flott
P Jamie Gillan
G Mark Glowinski
RB Eric Gray
OL Sean Harlow
CB Tre Hawkins III
WR Isaiah Hodgins
CB Darnay Holmes
DL Timmy Horne
WR Jalin Hyatt
CB Adoree' Jackson
TE Tyree Jackson
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
CB Nick McCloud
ILB Micah McFadden
OL Marcus McKethan
S Xavier McKinney
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
OLB Azeez Ojulari
ILB Bobby Okereke
WR Gunner Olszewski
S Gervarrius Owens
OL Justin Pugh
DL Jordon Riley
DL A'Shawn Robinson
OT Matt Peart
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
C John Michael Schmitz Jr.
WR Sterling Shepard
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons
WR Darius Slayton
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Andrew Thomas
TE Darren Waller
OLB Jihad Ward
OLB Benton Whitley
Now that he's back on the roster, Robinson has a chance to play in the Giants' Kickoff Weekend Sunday night game against the Dallas Cowboys.
"From the moment that I tore my ACL, that's what I was wondering, can I be back week one," he said. "Talked to Dr. (Neal) ElAttrache out in LA and he was like, 'It could be a shot. You just have to put the work in.' And I told him that was exactly what I was going to do. Luckily, about a month ago everything started looking really, really good and just was able to get back out there today."
Coach Brian Daboll was not about to make any predictions or promises.
"(We're) just going to see how he looks today and take it one day at a time," Daboll said.
Asked if the team considered keeping Robinson on PUP, Daboll said, "there were a lot of discussions about that relative to when he might be ready, when he's not ready, what's the best thing for the player, what's the best thing for the team and today we decided to bring him up."
Robinson was the 43rd overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, from the University of Kentucky. He first injured his knee in the season-opening victory in Tennessee and missed the next four games. Robinson returned in Week 6 vs. Baltimore, the first of five consecutive games in which he played.
The last of them was against the Lions, against whom Robinson had season high totals of nine receptions for 100 yards. But his season ended when he tore his ACL late in the game. Robinson finished his debut season with 23 receptions for 227 yards and one touchdown.
"I thought he was improving," Daboll said. "Obviously, the game he got hurt he was having a productive game. Again, he was a rookie receiver, learning a new offense. I think he's got the right mindset, had good speed, had good quickness, was productive, obviously, the game he got hurt and, unfortunately, he was out for a while."
Torn ACLs often sideline a player for a year, but Robinson might play in a game 9½ months after he was injured.
"I think the trainers have done a good job with him," Daboll said. "It'll be good to get him out on the practice field and doing some individuals with (wide receivers Coach Mike) Groh and then we'll kind of slowly put him into some of the other drills."
Robinson is happy his return to the field was relatively rapid.
"I am just glad to be back out there with the guys," he said. "It felt like a long time. Just put in a lot of work and just making sure that I got back out there with the guys.
"At the end of the day, I just want to help this football team win," he said. "Whether that's week one and I feel comfortable out there or week two or week three, whenever that may be. I'm hoping for week one, but (I) just want to help the team win."
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
QB Jacob Eason - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (January 6)
TE Tyree Jackson - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (January 6)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 6)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 6)
S Jason Pinnock - Reserve/Injured (January 6)
QB Jacob Eason - Practice Squad Signing (January 4)
OT Tyre Phillips - Reserve/Injured (January 2)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Practice Squad Signing (January 1)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 30)
WR Dennis Houston - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 30)
LB Darrian Beavers - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 30)
TE Lawrence Cager - Reserve/Injured (December 30)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 24)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 24)
OT Matt Peart - Activated, from Reserve (December 24)
OT Evan Neal - Reserve/Injured (December 24)
K Mason Crosby - Practice Squad Veteran (December 22)
K Cade York - Practice Squad; Injured (December 22)
K Randy Bullock - Reserve/Injured (December 21)
DL Timmy Horne - Free Agent Signing from ATL Practice Squad (December 21)
OT Matt Peart - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 20)
RB Gary Brightwell - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 20)
TE Darren Waller - Activated, from Reserve (December 16)
S Bobby McCain - Waived, No Recall (December 16)
TE Darren Waller - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 14)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Activated, from Reserve (December 11)
QB Matt Barkley - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (December 5)
QB Jacob Eason - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (December 4)
QB Matt Barkley - Waived, No Recall (December 4)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 4)
WR Dylan Drummond - Practice Squad Signing (November 30)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 30)
RB Eric Gray - Activated, from Reserve (November 25)
K Cade York - Practice Squad Exception Signing (November 24)
K Randy Bullock - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 24)
K Cade York - Waived, No Recall (November 22)
RB Eric Gray - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 22)
OL Joshua Miles - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (November 21)
RB Deon Jackson - Practice Squad Exception Signing (November 21)
RB Hassan Hall - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 21)
LB Benton Whitley - Free Agent Signing from MIN Practice Squad (November 21)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, No Recall (November 20)
OL Joshua Miles - Waived, No Recall (November 20)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 18)
TE Tyree Jackson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 18)
TE Chris Myarick - Waived, No Recall from Reserve/Injured (November 13)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Activated, from Reserve (November 11)
TE Tyree Jackson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 11)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 11)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 8)
QB Matt Barkley - QB Matt Barkley - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 8)
QB Daniel Jones - Reserve/Injured (November 8)
QB Jacob Eason - Practice Squad Signing (November 7)
RB Hassan Hall - Practice Squad Signing (November 7)
OLB Justin Hollins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 4)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 4)
TE Lawrence Cager - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 4)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Injured (November 4)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Reserve/Injured (November 4)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 3)
K Cade York - Free Agent Signing from TEN Practice Squad (November 3)
K Randy Bullock - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (November 3)
K Graham Gano - Reserve/Injured (November 3)
QB Matt Barkley - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 31)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 31)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 31)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 31)
DL Leonard Williams - Traded to Seahawks for 2024 2nd Round Pick & 2025 5th Round Pick (October 30)
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 30)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (October 30)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 28)
RB Gary Brightwell - Reserve/Injured (October 28)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Free Agent Signing from CAR Practice Squad
OLB Justin Hollins - Practice Squad Veteran Signing
RB Eric Gray, OT Matt Peart - Reserve/Injured
RB Deon Jackson - Claimed off Waivers from CLV
(October 24)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 23)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 21)
OL Jalen Mayfield - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 21)
TE Lawrence Cager - Practice Squad Signing
OL Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing from DAL Practice Squad (October 19)
OL Shane Lemieux - Reserve/Injured (October 19)
OL Justin Pugh - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 18)
TE Lawrence Cager - Waived, No Recall (October 18)
OL Tyre Phillips - Free Agent Signing from PHI Practice Squad
OL Joshua Miles - Free Agent Signing from ATL Practice Squad
OL Joshua Ezeudu - Reserve/Injured
OL Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing to CAR Active Roster
(October 17)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Reserve/Injured (October 14)
OL Jalen Mayfield - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 14)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 14)
OL Justin Pugh - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 14)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Practice Squad Veteran (October 11)
WR Cole Beasley - Designated for Return / Restored to Practice Squad (October 10)
WR Cam Sims - - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 10)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 10)
OL Jaylon Thomas, OL Jalen Mayfield - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 7)
OL Justin Pugh - Practice Squad Veteran (October 3)
RB Taiwan Jones - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 3)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 9)
K Graham Gano - Signed 3-year contract extension (September 8)
WR Cam Sims - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (September 4)
WR Cole Beasley - Practice Squad; Injured (September 4)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injury Settlement
DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, T Jaylon Thomas - Practice Squad Signing (August 31)
RB Taiwan Jones - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (August 31)
TE Tyree Jackson, G Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing (August 31)
DB Gemon Green, T Tyre Phillips - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 31)
CB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injury Settlement
DT Ryder Anderson, ILB Darrian Beavers, DB Alex Cook, QB Tommy DeVito, CB Gemon Green, ILB Dyontae Johnson, TE Ryan Jones - Practice Squad (August 30)
WR Cole Beasley, CB Amani Oruwariye, T Tyre Phillips, OLB Oshane Ximines - Practice Squad Veteran (August 30)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 30)
DE Boogie Basham - Acquired via Trade (via BUF) with 2025 7th Round Pick for 2025 6th Round Pick (August 30)
DT Ryder Anderson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DE Habakkuk Baldonado - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Darrian Beavers - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Alex Cook - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
QB Tommy DeVito - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Gemon Green - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
TE Ryan Jones - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LS Cameron Lyons - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
T Tyre Phillips - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DT Kobe Smith - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Ray Wilborn - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Cole Beasley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR Jamison Crowder - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
C Sean Harlow - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
DB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR David Sills V - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
LB Oshane Ximines - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Reserve/Non-Football Illness (August 29)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Passed Physical (August 29)
CB Aaron Robinson - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (August 29)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Wyatt Davis - Waived, Injured (August 28)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Reserve/Injured (August 27)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Julién Davenport - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Brandin Bryant - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DE Tashawn Bower - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Kevin Atkins - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
WR Collin Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
DB Darren Evans - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
NT Donovan Jeter - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
RB James Robinson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons - Acquired via Trade (via ARZ) for 2024 7th Round Pick (August 25)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived, Injury Settlement (August 24)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injury Settlement
CB Rodarius Williams - Waived, No Recall (August 19)
OT Julién Davenport - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injured (August 16)
LB Ray Wilborn - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (August 15)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived/Injured (August 15)
DL D.J. Davidson - Passed Physical (August 14)
WR Jeff Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (August 11)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Passed Physical (August 7)
OL Marcus McKethan - Passed Physical (August 7)
NT Donovan Jeter - Free Agent Signing (August 4)
WR Jeff Smith - Waived/Injured (August 4)
C Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing (August 1)
OL J.C. Hassenauer - Reserve/Injured (August 1)
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical (July 30)
WR Jamison Crowder - Passed Physical (July 30)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Injured (July 29)
LB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injury Settlement (July 29)
DT Kevin Atkins - Free Agent Signing (July 27)
T Andrew Thomas - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (July 26)
DT D.J. Davidson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
G Marcus McKethan - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Jamison Crowder - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 25)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Did Not Report (July 25)
RB Saquon Barkley - Franchise Player Signing (July 25)
OLB Tashawn Bower - Free Agent Signing (July 25)
OLB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injured (July 25)
DB Trenton Thompson - Waived, No Recall (July 25)
DT Brandin Bryant - Free Agent Signing (July 24)
WR Makai Polk - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
WR Dre Miller - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
RB James Robinson - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
WR Cole Beasley - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
DB Darren Evans - Free Agent Signing (July 18)
LB Jarrad Davis - Reserve/Injured (July 18)
DB Leonard Johnson - Waived/Injured (July 18)
DL Kobe Smith - Free Agent Signing (June 15)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (May 5)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Troy Brown - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Gemon Green - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
TE Ryan Jones - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LS Cameron Lyons - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
CB Deonte Banks - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 24) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Deonte Banks - Selection List Signing (May 18)
OL John Michael Schmitz - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 57) of 2023 NFL Draft
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 73) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selection List Signing (May 15)
RB Eric Gray - Selection List Signing (May 5)
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 209) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DL Jordon Riley - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 243) of 2023 NFL Draft
RB Eric Gray - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
DL Jordan Riley - Selection List Signing (May 6)
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 254) of 2023 NFL Draft
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 24)
C J.C. Hassenauer - Free Agent Signing (April 7)
OLB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Jamison Crowder - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
S Bobby McCain - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Trenton Thompson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Terrell Burgess - Waived/Injured (May 5)
G Solomon Kindley - Waived
WR Kenny Golladay - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 15)
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