Kadarius Toney ‘ready to play’ after difficult preseason

New York Giants rookie Kadarius Toney called his transition to the NFL “frustrating” on Wednesday, per NBC Sports. The first-round draft pick dealt with foot issues in the spring, a positive COVID-19 test, and a hamstring injury this summer. Toney didn’t play in the preseason and was a limited participant in practice on this week. However, Toney says he is “ready to play” in the season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Giants head coach Joe Judge was asked about what kind of role the rookie wide receiver will play.

“I’d say in terms of significant, I look at that not so much as volume, but production,” Judge said. “I’d say it is realistic for him to have a significant role based on how he practices this week. We’re seeing his health improve, we’ve seen him do a lot of things with the team as we’ve kept on moving. He’s handled the installs very well. I’d say for a player who hasn’t seen obviously preseason games or a lot of significant time volume-wise on the field with the guys through preseason, he’s been able to go out there and manage it and execute in practice what we’ve asked him to.”

NBC Sports also noted that the Giants primary reason for drafting Toney was to provide quarterback Daniel Jones with a player to grow alongside. With Jones only appearing in one game without attempting a pass to Toney, the answer to the team’s most important question will not be answered until the regular season.

Building around Daniel Jones

The New York Giants made a bevy of moves this offseason to improve their offense. With Daniel Jones entering his third season in the NFL, the team’s front office is attempting to give him every chance to succeed.

While he has new weapons like Kenny Golladay, Kyle Rudolph and Kadarius Toney, the team still features one weakness after the transition. Their bugaboo since the Eli Manning days has been their offensive line, and they neglected to address it this offseason.

Now, the unit is beginning to feel their feet hit the fire prior to the start of the season.

“There’s definitely pressure,” Giants tackle Andrew Thomas recently said, via NJ.com. “I put pressure on myself. I know I’ve been given this role. And I worked hard to be here. So I have to step up and do what I have to do.”

Thomas, the fourth-overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Georgia, had an uneven rookie season. While the beginning of his season brought up memories of failed Giants’ bust Ereck Flowers, the former Bulldog improved as the season progressed.