The New York Giants will be without top cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for Thursday night's game against Washington, and wide receiver Victor Cruz will have to wait at least one more week for his return to the field.
As expected, Rodgers-Cromartie and Cruz were among five players officially ruled out for the game Wednesday when the Giants released their final injury report. Rodgers-Cromartie suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss to Atlanta and has yet to be cleared by the NFL's concussion protocol for a return to the field. Jayron Hosley is likely to replace him in the starting lineup.
Cruz, whose 2014 season ended with a torn right patellar tendon in Week 6, hasn't practice since Aug. 17 because of a left calf injury. While he was able to run outside while the team practiced Tuesday for the first time in weeks, Cruz still isn't ready to return. He and the Giants are hoping he'll be able to practice next week and play in their next game, Oct. 4 in Buffalo.
Also ruled out for Thursday's game were tight end Jerome Cunningham (knee), defensive tackle Markus Kuhn (knee) and rookie defensive end Owa Odighizuwa (foot).
Rookie tackle Ereck Flowers, who injured his left ankle in the season opener in Dallas and reinjured it Sunday against Atlanta, is listed as doubtful for the game. He is pushing to play, but the team could elect to be cautious and give him the full two weeks off before the Buffalo game. If Flowers can't play, expect left guard Justin Pugh to move outside to left tackle and John Jerry to replace Pugh at left guard.
Defensive end Robert Ayers has a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for the game. Without him and Odighizuwa, the Giants' pass-rush rotation would consist of Cullen Jenkins, George Selvie, Damontre Moore and Kerry Wynn -- and Jenkins is likely needed as a starter at defensive tackle.
The good news on the Giants injury front is that middle linebacker Jon Beason, who missed the first two games with a knee injury, is listed as probable and seems likely to make his 2015 season debut Thursday. Also probable is tight end Daniel Fells, whose presence as a blocker was sorely missed in the run game Sunday when he was out with a foot injury. Defensive tackle Jay Bromley, who had a knee injury earlier in the week, is also listed as probable, as is guard Geoff Schwartz, who missed Monday with an illness.