Big game in garbage time

Engram caught all seven of his targets for 67 yards and a score against the Cowboys on Sunday night.

Analysis: The Giants offense was terrible all game, but a blown coverage in the end zone by the Cowboys in garbage time salvaged Engram's day. There's a lot of talent in the Giants offense, but the usage tree is fairly narrow -- only Odell Beckham, Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard and Engram see regular looks, so there should be enough to go around.

Held to 18 yards Week 1

Engram managed just two catches for 18 yards on five targets in Sunday's 20-15 Week 1 loss to Jacksonville.

Analysis: It wasn't terribly surprising to see Engram struggle against one of the league's toughest defensive units, but he alarmingly ranked fourth on the team in targets behind Odell Beckham (11), Sterling Shepard (seven) and Saquon Barkley (six). While it remains to be seen how New York's offense does against less difficult competition, Engram will be hard-pressed to produce TE1 numbers on a consistent basis if he continues to serve as the fourth option in the passing game. On a positive note, Engram…read more

Gains medical clearance

Engram (concussion), who has been medically cleared to practice, shed his non-contact jersey Wednesday.

Analysis: The Giants' top tight end is thus in line to play Sunday against the Jaguars, not that there was ever much doubt about his status. While it's not an optimal Week 1 matchup for Engram, he enters the season as a key cog within a star-studded offense that also features wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard and promising rookie tailback Saquon Barkley.

Sports non-contact jersey

Engram (concussion) sported a red (non-contact) jersey during Monday's practice, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Analysis: On the plus side, Engram participated in individual drills Monday, which is a positive indicator, but the non-contact jersey suggests that the tight end remains in the NFL's concussion protocol. Added clarity regarding his Week 1 status should arrive no later than Wednesday upon the release of the Giants' first regular-season injury report.

Making progress

Engram (concussion) appeared to be participating in individual drills Monday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Analysis: This represents another good sign with regard to the tight end's availability for Sunday's season opener against the Jaguars. Added clarity on that front should arrive no later than Wednesday, when the Giants are required to submit an official practice participation/injury report.

Trending toward Week 1 appearance

Engram (concussion) is expected to be healthy for Week 1 against the Jaguars, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Engram picked up the concussion in preseason Week 3 and was held out of the Giants' exhibition final Thursday. His progression through the protocol allowed him to get in some work on a side field this past week, but a return to practice in advance of Week 1 would pave the way for an appearance. His first chance to do so will be Wednesday, when the Giants' first injury report of the season will be posted.

Making progress with concussion

Engram (concussion) isn't practicing Monday, but he is showing signs of progress in his side work, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Analysis: Engram did some light running Sunday and seems to have ramped things up a bit Monday. He still has nearly two weeks to make it through the concussion protocol before a Week 1 home game against the Jaguars.

Gets some running in

Though Engram (concussion) didn't practice Sunday, he was present for the session, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

Analysis: Per the report, Engram did some light running, which is a positive indicator with regard to his Week 1 status. It's pretty certain that Engram won't play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots, but the tight end should have ample time to gain medical clearance in advance of the team's Sept. 9 season opener against the Jaguars.

Suffers concussion Friday

Engram won't return to Friday's game against the Jets after suffering a concussion.

Analysis: Engram was crunched by two Jets players after making a catch and went down holding his head before being escorted to the locker room by training staff. He'll enter the concussion protocol and figures to be out for several days as he works his way back. He ends the day with three receptions for 23 yards. Look for Jerell Adams to see some extra snaps now that Engram is sidelined.

Blanked in preseason opener

Engram wasn't targeted during Thursday's 20-10 loss to the Browns in the preseason opener.

Analysis: Engram emerged as New York's top receiving threat after Odell Beckham went down with a season-ending ankle injury last year, but the young tight end failed to make an impact in two drives of work here even with Beckham absent. New York did split Engram out wide on a few occasions, so he appears primed to play a versatile role similar to the one he was used in as a rookie.

Engram (ribs) worked out with teammate Davis Webb in February, NJ.com's Ryan Dunleavy reports.

Analysis: This is only noteworthy because it suggests Engram is in line for a healthy offseason after he missed the final game of his rookie campaign with a rib injury. He avoided any fractures and likely is back to full health with plenty of time to spare before the start of offseason workouts. Engram may have a tough time replicating his rookie-year mark of 7.7 targets per game (No. 3 among all tight ends), but a new coaching staff and the return of Odell Beckham (ankle) should lead to improved…read more

Ruled out for finale

Engram (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Redskins, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Analysis: Although he avoided any fractures in his ribs, Engram was held out of practice all week and seemingly never stood much chance to play in the season finale. Rhett Ellison and Jerell Adams will take over at tight end this weekend, while Engram finishes his campaign with one of the better stat lines by a rookie tight end in recent memory, though he needed 115 targets to get to 64 catches for 722 yards and six scores. While clearly locked in as a big part of the Giants' future, Engram will have a…read more

Not participating Friday

Engram (ribs) did not participate in Friday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Engram injured his ribs in last week's loss to the Cardinals, and it appears likely the setback will cut short his rookie season. The Giants will reveal Engram's official status for Week 17 after Friday's session comes to a close.

Doesn't practice Thursday

Engram (ribs) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Analysis: As he recovers from bruised and sore ribs on his left side, Engram has yet to practice this week. However, he fit in some work on an elliptical bike Thursday, a sign he's attempting to gain clearance from the team's training staff. Friday's practice will mark his last shot to make an impression on the team in advance of Sunday's game against the Redskins.

No contact work Thursday

Engram (ribs) wasn't taking part in team drills during the portion of Thursday's practice made available to the media and was instead working out on a bike, Dan Duggan of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Engram was listed as a non-participant in the Giants' first practice of the week when he was also restricted to bike work, so it appears he'll go down as a DNP again when the team releases its Thursday injury report. Since Engram is merely dealing with bruising to his ribcage than any sort of fracture, he's hopeful to suit up in the Giants' season finale against the Redskins, but he may need to practice in some capacity Friday in order for that to happen.

Hopes to play Sunday

Engram (ribs), who didn't practice Wednesday, is hopeful that he'll play Sunday against the Redskins, Dan Duggan of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Engram was knocked out of Sunday's defeat in Arizona due to a rib injury. On Wednesday, he confirmed reports that X-rays were returned negative earlier this week and he's merely dealing with bruising and discomfort within the ribs on his left side. In order to achieve his goal of active status this weekend, he'd be best served with an appearance in practice Thursday and/or Friday, at which point the Giants will determine his potential to suit up for the final game of the season.

Not practicing Wednesday

Engram (ribs) stretched with the team but didn't participate in the portion of Wednesday's practice made available to the media, Dan Duggan of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: It looks as though Engram will be listed as a non-participant in the Giants' first official practice of the week, an unsurprising development given that he was unable to return to the Week 16 loss to the Cardinals after injuring his ribs. Fortunately for Engram, it appears follow-up scans have cleared him of any structural damage and revealed that he's just dealing with bruised ribs, leaving open the possibility of him playing in the season finale Sunday against the Redskins. Engram will…read more

Diagnosed with bruised ribs

Engram was diagnosed with bruised ribs on his left side after X-rays earlier this week returned negative, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Giants finished Sunday's 23-0 loss to the Cardinals without their top two pass catchers, as both Engram and Sterling Shepard (neck). The severity of Shepard's injury remains uncertain, but Engram was fortunate to avoid cracked ribs, which would have almost certainly sidelined him for the season finale against the Redskins. It's still conceivable that the bruising Engram is dealing with might be significant enough to keep him out in Week 17, but the Giants will track his progress in practice…read more

Injures rib Sunday

Engram has been ruled out of Sunday's contest at Arizona due to a rib injury.

Analysis: Initially, Engram was deemed questionable to return with an abdominal issue, but the Giants changed course when declaring him out, instead calling it a rib concern. With his departure, the offense is down to three tight ends in Rhett Ellison, Jerell Adams and Shane Smith. Looking ahead, Engram's status will be one to monitor closely for the regular-season finale against the Redskins.

Engram won't return to Sunday's game at Arizona due to a rib injury.

Analysis: Eli Manning's first-quarter interception was intended for Engram, who came up gimpy after the play. According to Dan Duggan of NJ.com, Engram was favoring his "left hip" at the time, but the tight end eventually was diagnosed with an abdominal issue. For the rest of the game, the Giants' TE corps has three healthy bodies: Rhett Ellison, Jerell Adams and Shane Smith.

Engram was targeted 13 times and came down with eight passes for 87 yards during Sunday's 34-29 loss to the Eagles. He added a 14-yard run during the contest.

Analysis: The catches, targets and total yardage all marked season highs for the 2017 first-round pick. He has now topped 90 total yards twice in his last three games after no such performances during the season's first 12 weeks. The speedy tight end figures to keep getting a steady diet of work in the season's closing weeks as the Giants look toward 2018. Engram, arguably more so than any other Giants offensive player, represents the future for the Big Blue. The only question will be whether Eli Manning…read more

Engram caught four of seven passes for 54 yards during Sunday's 30-10 loss to the Cowboys.

Analysis: Engram led the team in receiving yardage while finishing third in targets, but he struggled to produce much outside of a 35-yard gain in the second quarter. This was still a respectable showing from the rookie, given the struggles of the rest of the offense, but fantasy owners were likely left wanting more at a crucial stage of the season. Engram will face a tough matchup as he attempts to bounce back next week against the Eagles.

Engram caught seven of eight pass attempts for 99 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Raiders.

Analysis: Engram's production had been trending down lately, having failed to top 31 yards in any of his past three contests. Perhaps the quarterback change did him some good, as Geno Smith relied on the rookie early and often in this one, and the Mississippi product led the team in catches and receiving yards. At the very least, Engram's fantasy owners should feel reassured as the Giants head home to take on Dallas in Week 14.

Engram was targeted seven times in Thursday's 20-10 Thanksgiving loss the Redskins and managed just 18 yards on three receptions.

Analysis: After tallying just nine-yards on one reception in Week 11, Engram failed to bounce back Thursday. Most concerning was that he suffered a few drops on catchable balls. The talented rookie may be suffering from a lack of weapons on offense, as opposing defenses are able to focus more on him. He will look to turn things around next week against the Raiders.

Engram corralled just one of six targets for nine yards in Sunday's 12-9 overtime win over the Chiefs.

Analysis: Engram was the intended target on a pass from running back Shane Vereen that was intercepted at the one-yard line, and he came no closer to extending his touchdown streak to five. The rookie tight end still tied for the team lead in targets despite the down week, so this performance should be viewed as an exception rather than the norm.

Engram caught six of nine targets for 31 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 31-21 loss to the 49ers.

Analysis: Engram averaged just 5.2 yards per catch in this one, but he salvaged his day from a fantasy perspective with a nine-yard touchdown pass just before half time. The rookie has surpassed 62 receiving yards just twice this season, but he now has five touchdowns to his name after scoring in four straight games. Engram's fantasy value continues to grow as he serves as the team's top red zone threat, and he'll look to keep it going next week against the Chiefs.