Aaron Robinson out; experience thin at CB for Giants
Giants cornerback Aaron Robinson celebrates after the Giants defeated the Titans 21-20 in an NFL game Sunday in Nashville. Credit: AP/Mark Zaleski
Fabian Moreau signed to the Giants practice squad last week hoping he would have an opportunity to get on the field with the team at some point.
That point may come Sunday.
Starting cornerback Aaron Robinson had an appendectomy upon returning from the game in Nashville and will be unable to play against the Panthers. Most of the Giants’ potential options to step in for him lack experience. Moreau, a sixth-year veteran, has started 34 NFL games and would make the most sense as a replacement.
“It’s a new scheme, I just have to get it down, but I’ve played a lot in this league and I still feel like I can play very good ball,” he said on Wednesday.
Moreau started 16 games for the Falcons last year, which included two against the Panthers, whom the Giants face this week.
“I did pretty good against them,” he said. In the two games combined he was targeted seven times and allowed only 16 total receiving yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
Coach Brian Daboll said other options at the position include rookie third-round pick Cor’Dale Flott, fourth-year player Justin Layne and rookie practice squad player Zyon Gilbert. Nick McCloud is also a possibility, but he did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury.
“We’ve got a group in there that will work to compete, and we’ll end up picking [the starter] like we usually do on Friday evening,” Daboll said.
Moreau stands out among the group because of his experience.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be here and working hard and trying to fill in where I’m needed,” he said. “I’m ready for this opportunity. I’m ready to go when my name is called.”
Notes & quotes: LBs Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) and Azeez Ojulari (calf) were listed as limited in Wednesday’s practice. Thibodeaux did some running and cutting on the side, the first time he has done so in view of the media since he sprained his MCL on Aug. 21 . . . WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) did not practice. He left the Titans game early with his injury. “He’s grinding back,” Daboll said. “I’d say the difference in him from the day after the game to even today is pretty significant, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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