Brian Daboll couldn’t announce either of his starting offensive tackles before the Giants’ last practice of the week.
Not a great spot for a head coach to be in before facing the Steelers edge-rushing duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, plus interior force Cam Heyward.
The Giants split left-tackle practice reps this week between Josh Ezeudu and Chris Hubbard, and had Evan Neal in for the injured Jermaine Eluemunor (hip) at right tackle during Friday and Saturday practices.
Eluemunor expressed confidence that he will start Monday’s game — and his teammates echoed that sentiment — but how long he lasts before Neal is needed could be the bigger question.
“You can only help [chip block] on so many people,” Daboll said. “We’re going to have to do a good job of using technique and blocking them, but you could use help on both those edge players as many times as you can get it.
“It’s a give-and-take here based on what they do coverage-wise: The more people you keep in, the more people they have defending, the less people you have out [in routes]. It’s just why they’re so good.”
Ezeudu is coming off his first start of the season at left tackle, when he allowed two early sacks to the Eagles.
He struggled at that position last year under similar circumstances — filling in for an injured Andrew Thomas — but the veteran Hubbard just arrived off the Broncos practice squad.
“I felt like as soon as I started calming down, I got better,” Ezeudu said. “They still haven’t told us [a plan], so I’ll be mindful either way. You might get beat a few times, too, but good technique puts you in the best spot to succeed.”
Punter Jamie Gillan (left hamstring), CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck) and LB Ty Summers (ankle) will not play.
CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin) is doubtful. Eluemunor (hip) and CB Tre Hawkins (ankle) are questionable.
OLB Brian Burns (groin, Achilles) was a limited participant Saturday for the second time this week — after not practicing Friday — but is expected to play.
Safety Dane Belton (calf) and guard Jake Kubas (abdomen) also were limited.
The injuries in the secondary could leave the Giants starting Deonte Banks — after his effort was questioned — and either a banged up Hawkins or Nick McCloud at cornerback.
Expect Steelers QB Russell Wilson to throw his patented “Moon Ball” down the field.
“He’s got great arc and places the ball,” Daboll said. “He gives the guys chances. I’ve seen that plenty when we’ve gone against him. Then you add the players that they have like [George] Pickens. You have to be tight on these guys.”
Daboll compared the 50/50 ball specialist Pickens to a “scorer in basketball” who is “going to get their points” — translated to targets and catches in football — no matter what.
Because of a conflict with Game 3 of the World Series, the Giants radio broadcast Monday night will air on Bloomberg 1130 AM.
