Rueben Randle not practicing
New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) catches a pass in the second half against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants No. 3 wide receiver Rueben Randle will likely get promoted as the Giants No. 2 wide receiver next season, since Hakeem
Nicks is almost certainly going to be playing for a different organization in 2014. The Giants could add a different wideout to pair up with Victor Cruz in two-receiver sets, but Randle has shown enough talent this year to merit strong consideration as the Giants No. 2 wideout going forward. Then again, while he has a boatload of pure talent, he’s not the most consistent player around either.
Randle is a surprising absence from today’s practice, according to NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan, because we haven’t received any information of a potential injury to Randle. He caught a decent four passes for 40 yards in last week’s overtime victory over the Detroit Lions, and it didn’t seem like he had any issues in that game.
Mid-week absences from practice that are sudden are concerning, but it could also just be a rest day for the 22-year-old receiver. Keep a close eye out for any updates from Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, and it is safe to say that Randle is now a toss-up for this week’s game against the Washington Redskins until further notice.
In 15 games this season, Randle has 41 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns. While he has the ability to be a No. 2 receiver, it’s probably safest for the Giants to look at someone in free agency who can directly replace Nicks.