Giants' Tyrone Tracy clears concussion protocol, is likely to start vs. Commanders

As Joel Thomas recalled, he was sitting inside the war room at 1925 Giants Drive for the third day of the NFL Draft in April and watched names come off the board.

There was one in particular that the Giants running backs coach was focused on, the one he was hoping would be there for the taking with the 166th pick. The one he was advocating for: Tyrone Tracy Jr.

“I carried a torch for him,” Thomas said of Tracy, who cleared the concussion protocol on Friday and is likely to start on Sunday against the Commanders at MetLife Stadium. “You’re giving the positive things and the vision.”

What Thomas saw was one of the very few bright spots in what has been a frustrating season for all involved.

Tracy, who converted from wide receiver to running back last season at Purdue, has rushed for 376 yards on 73 carries (5.15 yards per carry) and two touchdowns this season. Only Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving (395) has rushed for more yards as a rookie.

Tracy rushed for 129 yards in his first career start on Oct. 6 in Seattle. “He’s done a good job,” Brian Daboll said. “He’s earned his playing time and he’ll continue to play. He’s performing well, so he’s earned what he’s getting.”

Before leaving Monday night’s loss in Pittsburgh with concussion symptoms, Tracy rushed for 145 yards and a score.

“He’s performed,” Daboll said. “And continues to perform.”

An opportunity presented itself to Tracy and he grabbed it. So did Azeez Ojulari.

Ojulari was inserted into the starting lineup when Kayvon Thibodeaux had surgery to repair a fractured scaphoid bone in his wrist on Oct. 9. After two injury-plagued seasons, Ojulari is reminding people why the Giants chose him with the 50th pick in the 2021 draft.

In the three games he has played in place of Thibodeaux, Ojulari has recorded five sacks, five quarterback hits and 14 tackles (six solo). Through eight games, he has 24 tackles (11 solo), seven quarterback hits and six sacks.

“I don’t think it’s a surprise because he’s always been a talented player with a natural feel for his pass rush,” outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen told Newsday. “He’s been healthy and his abilities have had a chance to be on display.”

And the timing could hardly be better, considering Ojulari, 24, will be a free agent at the end of the season — even if it’s not front-of-mind.

“I’m just ready to keep working here,” he said earlier this week. “I love it here.”

Notes & quotes: Punter Jamie Gillan (left hamstring) and kicker Greg Joseph (abdomen) did not practice Friday and are out on Sunday. Wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles) is doubtful and linebacker Ty Summers (ankle) is questionable. The Giants signed kicker Jude McAtamney off the practice squad. The Rutgers product will make his NFL debut on Sunday . . . Defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson said he has to help cornerback Deonte Banks “understand the importance of his draft position, our expectations of him, what he can provide for this team, and he and I have to get it done.” . . . The NFL announced that Wellington Mara was posthumously nominated by the Giants for the 2024 Salute to Service Award.