As the New York Giants gear up for their first preseason matchup, Day 8 of training camp offered a vivid look at the rising intensity and fierce competition playing out across the roster. Held on August 1 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the session delivered a mix of standout performances, emerging narratives, and valuable insights for the coaching staff as roster decisions begin to take shape.
Among the notable moments, tight end Thomas Fidone and rookie running back Cam Skattebo both temporarily exited drills after apparent minor injuries. While Fidone remained sidelined for the rest of the day as a precaution, Skattebo returned to action later in practice. His resilience, combined with his quick-footed running style, continued to garner attention from running backs coach Jeff Nixon and others evaluating depth behind starter Devin Singletary.
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Another storyline centered on Evan Neal, the third-year offensive lineman who is working his way back from an injury-plagued 2024 season. With veteran guard Greg Van Roten held out of practice, Neal was tasked with right guard duties instead of his usual right tackle spot. The coaching staff has long emphasized positional versatility on the line, and Neal’s performance underlined his potential to contribute across multiple roles. Observers noted his improved footwork and hand placement, which helped contain the interior pass rush during team drills.
On the offensive side, wide receiver Zach Pascal turned heads with a highlight-reel catch during a high-tempo two-minute drill. The play drew cheers from teammates and coaches, as Pascal twisted mid-air to snag a contested sideline pass near the chains. A veteran known more for his blocking and reliability, Pascal’s athleticism offered a glimpse of what he could bring to a relatively young wide receiver corps led by Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson.
Defensively, rookie linebacker Abdul Carter may have had the most eye-opening day of all. During one-on-one pass-rush drills, Carter repeatedly blew past offensive linemen with a combination of spin moves and raw speed. His disruption extended into 11-on-11 periods, where he nearly notched a sack on quarterback Drew Lock and applied consistent pressure off the edge. The coaching staff has been cautiously optimistic about Carter’s transition from college standout at Penn State to NFL pass rusher, but his performance on Day 8 is likely to accelerate his push for more first-team reps.
The secondary also showed signs of sharpening. Safeties Tyler Nubin and Dane Belton each recorded interceptions—Nubin off a tipped pass and Belton on a well-timed break during red zone drills. Their playmaking ability added to an already competitive defensive backfield, where battles for starting and nickel roles remain unsettled. Defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson has emphasized takeaway generation as a key area of focus this camp, and Thursday’s practice reflected that emphasis in action.
As camp approaches its midpoint, intensity continues to rise. Head coach Brian Daboll maintained a disciplined tone throughout the session, instituting sprint penalties for any mental errors such as false starts or misaligned formations. The message has been clear: with preseason action looming, precision and accountability are non-negotiable.
Special teams units also received extended work on Thursday, with returner competitions heating up. Rookie Dee Williams received multiple reps on both punt and kickoff returns, showing quick acceleration and solid decision-making. While the Giants brought in veteran returners during the offseason, Williams’ versatility may provide him an edge in carving out a roster spot.
The team is expected to hold another padded practice on August 2, continuing preparation for its first preseason game against the Detroit Lions. That game will provide further opportunities for bubble players and rookies to make their case in live-game situations.
While no depth chart changes have been officially announced, performances like those seen on Day 8 are certain to influence internal evaluations. With several weeks of camp remaining, the Giants’ roster picture is beginning to take shape—driven by young talent, growing chemistry, and a renewed emphasis on physical, disciplined football.