Giants injuries give the Broncos an advantage in Week 1

The Denver Broncos are ready for the start of the regular season. In Week 1, they travel to play against the New York Giants in a game they should win.

The Giants are not a good team on either side of the ball. They have some interesting players here and there, but they lack cohesiveness due to coaching problems and a below-average quarterback.

In addition to talent and coaching problems, the Giants have key players banged up as we start the regular season. These injuries could prevent the Giants from playing up to their potential, and that’s an advantage for the Broncos.

Here are three injury situations to monitor for the Giants as the week of practice goes on.

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Saquon Barkley Gearing Up

The Giants have been patiently bringing Saquon Barkley back from the knee injury that cut his 2020 season short. Barkley tore his ACL in Week 2 last year, and the Giants have wisely used the long-term approach to his recovery.

When healthy, Barkley is a superstar in this league. His rookie season in 2018 was remarkable, as Barkley rushed for more than 1,300 yards and had 91 catches along with 15 total touchdowns. He hasn’t been able to get back to that form, and now his future with the team is uncertain because of this knee injury.

If Barkley is out there against the Broncos, he will be tough to deal with as he can take any carry to the house from anywhere on the field. Barkley runs with power, instincts and vision that few backs possess. In his first game back in about a year, the Giants may decide to put him on a touch or snap count.

#Giants RB Saquon Barkley is gearing up to play Sunday vs. the #Broncos, and sources say he’s close to being fully cleared to do so following major knee surgery. The team needs to watch him through Thursday to gauge how his body responds to the workload. But he’s close.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2021

If Barkley does not have a full workload, the Giants will turn to former Broncos running back Devontae Booker. While Booker did little during his time with the Broncos, he’s flourished as a receiving back and reserve running back since he left. Booker was a decent reserve player for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, so the Giants decided to sign him to a contract this offseason.

Booker is mainly a gap runner who has build-up power and speed. He’s also worked well as a receiver out of the backfield. Booker is not as much of a threat as Barkley, so the Broncos should be able to corral him if Booker gets a larger workload.

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Evan Engram a “Long Shot”

There is no question the Broncos have trouble covering tight ends. That’s been the case for years with the Broncos, so any matchup they have this season will look to exploit that weakness. The Giants have an athletic tight end in former first-round pick Evan Engram, and he could be a problem for the Broncos if healthy.

It sounds like Engram is not going to play against the Broncos. Engram has battled through various injuries during his pro career and has only played a full 16-game season once (2020). In the preseason finale for the Giants, Engram suffered a calf injury and has been limited in practice since then. The Giants did not put him on Injured Reserve, to the surprise of some, so there is a possibility that he’s ready early in the season.

If Engram doesn’t play, the Giants can turn to veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph as their starter. He’s a solid “Y” tight end who can thrive as a receiver and as a blocker. Rudolph is no longer the threat he used to be, but his savvy and reliability means the Giants may look to him in Week 1.

With Evan Engram not likely to play Sunday, it should mean more playing time for Kaden Smith. This could be a blessing in disguise for the #Giants. Kaden Smith is a good run blocker and has great chemistry with Daniel Jones.

Here are some Daniel Jones-Kaden Smith highlights: pic.twitter.com/wrDVxqOF6d

— Giants Alliance (@GiantsAlliance) September 6, 2021

Without Engram, Kaden Smith is also going to get more work – and that’s not great news for the Broncos. Smith is more of a move tight end than Rudolph, and he’s got strong chemistry with starting quarterback Daniel Jones. Expect Jones to be under duress early and often against the Broncos, and that means he could look to his security blankets (Rudolph and Smith) underneath.

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Upgrade Limited?

The Giants don’t have a great group of wide receivers, and they certainly don’t have a top-tier quarterback to get them the ball. They made a move to upgrade the wide receiver position when they signed the best free agent receiver in the 2021 class – Kenny Golladay. The former Lions receiver signed a four-year, $72 million contract with $40 million guaranteed this offseason.

Golladay has a great size/speed combination and can take the top off of the defense. He’s also got a proven nose for the end zone and can be a threat for the Giants offense in the red zone. If healthy, Golladay is a big upgrade for an offense in desperate need of playmakers.

In early August, Golladay went down with a hamstring injury and did not return to practice for a month. He’s just started practicing again but should be ready for Week 1 against the Broncos. Golladay is a pro’s pro and will prepare his best, but he’s lacking chemistry with Jones. Missing a month of time could be difficult to overcome when it comes to connection with his quarterback – especially a quarterback who has limited skill as a passer.

WR Kenny Golladay practicing again Thursday. This is a big one for him, Saquon and Kadarius Toney in full pads. #giants pic.twitter.com/UGp9Gm2nLb

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 2, 2021

The Broncos secondary looks to be one of the best in the league on paper. Now, it’s time to back up that hype on the field and Golladay will represent a fine challenge.

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