Much-needed safety Nat Berhe cleared for full Giants practice
New York Giants safety Nat Berhe speaks to the media during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J., on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Credit: Brad Penner
Nat Berhe was cleared for full participation in practices by Giants team doctors Saturday morning. Apparently not a moment too soon.
Berhe will play a large role in helping stabilize a safety position that has been obliterated by injuries. In Saturday's preseason game against the Jaguars, the Giants lost Bennett Jackson (knee) and Justin Currie (ankle) and both seem as if they will be long-term injuries. That after last week, when rookie starting safety Landon Collins was sidelined by an MCL injury. Cooper Taylor missed the game with a toe injury, as well.
Berhe has not had a full practice this training camp and missed most of the spring workouts with a calf injury, but he said Saturday night that he is excited to get back on the field.
"Full-go," Berhe said. "I'll be participating in everything."
Berhe said he doesn't know if he will be ready to play in next week's preseason game against the Jets. He might not have much choice but to be thrust into service.
"Football is 100 percent injuries, so what can you do?" Berhe said.
Berhe said he had a chance to speak with Jackson, who was having a terrific training camp and had been working on a conversion from cornerback to safety.
"He's upset, disappointed, like anybody would be," Berhe said. "I just want to be a good teammate."
And, unspoken, a good replacement.
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.
