As they line up across from each other Sunday, Weston Richburg figures he will hear a joke or a dig from Cullen Jenkins.
“He’s got that type of personality,’’ said Richburg, the Giants’ center. “We both know why we’re ultimately there. It will be football time.’’
For the past two seasons, Richburg was a teammate of Jenkins, one of the most popular recent Giants players. Jenkins, 35, was out of football until the Redskins signed him Aug. 29. Five days later, they cut him.
After their season-opening 38-16 loss to the Steelers, the Redskins re-signed Jenkins, and it appears he will start at defensive tackle against the Giants, with Kedric Golston on injured reserve after suffering a strained hamstring.
“We just saw him on film, so I assumed he got back on the team somehow, he didn’t just sneak in,’’ Richburg said. “He’s very quick, always has been, that’s one thing that surprised me, how quick he is. He’s a good guy, learned a lot watching him, how he conducted himself.’’
Odell Beckham Jr. has 199 career receptions. If he gets one Sunday, he will become the first player to have 200 receptions in his first 30 NFL games. WR Sterling Shepard’s 11 catches are the most for any Giants rookie in his first two games.
With offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse (calf) out, second-year Giant Bobby Hart is expected to make his second NFL start.
“He’s getting paid to do his job so I don’t have any concern whatsoever,’’ Richburg said. “I think he’s going to be well prepared and he’s the next man up for the job. I think he’s ready for it.’’
The Redskins have more than a few injury concerns, with six players listed as questionable, including starting C Kory Lichtensteiger (back) and starting DE Chris Baker, who is listed as having four issues: rib/elbow/toe/knee.
The Redskins need QB Kirk Cousins to shake off his early-season struggles.
“Kirk’s always been a very resilient guy, he’s proven that already,’’ coach Jay Gruden said. “I expect him to bounce back, I really do. There’s nothing about him that says otherwise.’’
Ben McAdoo, early in his first season as Giants head coach, has dealt with a few unusual off-the-field issues: Josh Brown’s suspension for domestic abuse and players’ rights/desire to sit or stand for the national anthem.
“It’s a little different for me. … I’ve never been that much older than the players I’ve coached,’’ McAdoo said. “I don’t know if it’s more like being a big brother, uncle or whatever it may be. I think coaching, teaching, leadership and parenting are all wrapped into one in what we get to do for a living. I try to make myself available for players for whatever they may need. If it’s off-the-field, I certainly feel that that is important.”
In need of depth at safety with Darian Thompson (foot) unavailable, the Giants signed rookie Andrew Adams off their practice squad. He replaces CB Michael Hunter, who was waived.
Hunter was signed off the practice squad last week when safety Mykkele Thompson (knee) went on injured reserve. Adams, undrafted out of Connecticut, is now the third safety on the roster, joining Landon Collins and Nat Berhe. Veteran CB Leon Hall also takes snaps at safety.