Andrew Thomas says Giants’ Isaiah Wilson, who is practicing on guard, ‘definitely has his head on a cool keel’ – Twin Cities

Isaiah Wilson’s off-field history, involvement in football and fitness were all major concerns when he signed with the Giants’ training team on 30 September.

So it was encouraging on Wednesday to hear Andrew Thomas, Wilson’s Georgia teammate, support the training team lineman’s start with the team.

“I definitely think Isaiah definitely has his head in order,” Thomas said Wednesday. “He’s trying to learn. He’s trying to get hold of the game book. We sat down and had a few conversations because much of our plan in Georgia was pretty similar. So just translating the terms was the biggest thing for him, and he learns quite well. ”

Thomas also said Wilson, who played right tackle in Georgia, is adjusting to his move inside to guard with the Giants.

“He moved him inside, played a little more guard, he played tackling in college, so we’ll see how he handles it,” Thomas said.

Wilson, 22, is a development project for the Giants. He is working on losing weight and getting in football shape, which will take time. He is not expected to be a factor this season, though coach Joe Judge did not rule it out last week.

“I think we have long-term plans for this guy in terms of where we see this guy can help in the future,” the judge said after a development-bye week. “But compared to this year, he has made great progress, and if the situation arises and the opportunity presents itself, we will get him ready to go ahead and help us.”

The Giants have not made Wilson available to the media since signing. He has missed training for two different weeks for what the team referred to as an illness.

Offensive line coach Rob Sales’ early review of Wilson was that he first had to get in shape before they could evaluate him properly.

Wilson is listed as £ 330 on the Giants’ squad, which is not believed to be accurate. This third NFL stop is considered his last chance to turn his career around.

The Tennessee Titans selected him late in the first round of 2020 and cut him due to a series of incidents and problems. One was an arrest in January with guns after he destroyed his car at the end of a high-speed chase with police that revealed acid, marijuana and accessories.

The Miami Dolphins tried to help him, and he only stayed there for three days after skipping training and showing up late for meetings. A league source told the Daily News when he signed that Wilson simply “does not love football.”

The Giants have made a great effort to keep Wilson away from the media network, so there is no first-hand information on how well Wilson is doing, and also little used information.

But Thomas’ early review is at least encouraging, for Thomas is honest and has a good head on his shoulders, and he would not have said that if he did not believe it.

THE BOOKER STARTS THE WEEK ON THE PAGE

Running back Devontae Booker (hip), the Giants’ best offensive option this season, worked on the sidelines with coaches at Wednesday’s training session.

Booker, 29, a free agent signing this spring, leads all Giants skill players with 105 offensive touches and 476 yards from scrimmage. His three TDs are also tied to Saquon Barkley for the team leader.

Barkley looks set to play Monday night in Tampa for the first time in five games, but it is possible that Booker’s sore hip will keep him out if it is not on the sidelines and restricted.

Including the Week 4 loss in Dallas as Barkley twisted his left ankle, Booker has 95 touchdowns for 440 yards (4.6 yards per touchdown) and three TDs as the top weapon in Jason Garrett’s offense.

Otherwise, TE Kaden Smith (knee) and special team Nate Ebner (ankle) were not on the field at Wednesday’s one-hour walkthrough training. Kicker Graham Gano and edge rusher Lorenzo Carter were also kept away due to a stomach defect, Judge said. WR Sterling Shepard (quad) worked with coaches.

Booker, Gano and RB Eli Penny were both back with the team after being absent on Monday due to personal circumstances. Carter has missed the Giants’ last two games with an ankle injury.