Abdul Carter (calf) did not practice Wednesday

Carter got in one limited practice to close the week before being listed as questionable. That would normally make him a coin-flip at best to play today, head coach John Harbaugh was optimistic about Carter’s health early in the week. He is good to go, as is left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is dealing with a groin injury. He has played through the groin issue several times already and will do so again versus the Saints.

Thomas, the Giants’ left tackle, RT Jermaine Eluemunor (calf) and EDGE Abdul Carter (calf) were all seen without jerseys, working on the side field with the training staff today. Expect to see all three listed as non-participants. Thomas has played through a couple of injuries this season, and seemingly has a good chance of suiting up in Week 6 against the Saints.

Speaking after Monday’s minicamp, Harbaugh said Carter suffered a twisted ankle but downplayed any notion that it would be a serious injury. The Giants and their fans can breathe an early sigh of relief after the former No. 3 overall pick was seen limping off the field early in the first day of the team’s three-day minicamp.

We’ll likely get an update on this soon, but it’s a concerning development for the second-year pass rusher who is hoping to build on a rookie season that included 43 tackles, four sacks, and seven TFLs. According to Leonard, Carter eventually made his way indoors and was seen leaving the field without his shoe. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan later reported that the “initial belief” is that Carter is okay, but we will provide an update when we receive one.

A transfer from Colorado in the offseason, Hood (6’0/195) delivered a Second Team All-SEC campaign as Tennessee’s top boundary corner, pairing physical press play with disciplined eyes in off-coverage. He was targeted on just 10.8% of his coverage snaps yet still excelled at ball production, allowing just 21 completions on 45 attempts for 295 yards with one interception and 10 passes broken up, holding opposing passers to a stellar 40.1 defensive QBR. He earned a 79.0 defensive grade which was reinforced with 50 total tackles, a 6.7 percent miss rate and 20 defensive stops. Hood also flashed in the disruption department, stacking 15 havoc plays including 2.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, showing he wasn’t just a coverage specialist but a full-service perimeter defender. The Vols standout ran a respectable 4.44s 40-yard dash with a superb 40.5-inch vertical to show off that athleticism in Indianapolis. Hood excelled defending vertical routes and consistently competed at the catch point, resulting in one of the SEC’s cleaner season-long performances at corner. He should settle in as a dependable second corner, with eventual top-corner upside.

Pelissero echoed NFL insider Jordan Schultz’s phrasing from a report issued earlier today, saying it sounds like the 49ers are “very open” to fielding trade offers for the No. 33 overall pick. Pelissero mentions Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald, Washington WR Denzel Boston, Miami QB Carson Beck and Tennessee CBs Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy as possible targets.

Carter returned to practice on Friday, logging a limited session. Giants DL Dexter Lawrence (illness) was also removed from the injury report, though he did not resume practicing. We tentatively expect both players to be on the field for Week 18, but projecting their snap counts is tough. The Giants and Cowboys have both been eliminated from playoff contention.

Carter’s absence is unsurprising. The coaching staff reportedly sent him and others home yesterday. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan noted DL Dexter Lawrence was also absent on Thursday. He believes Lawrence is “also in the illness category.” Both players have a chance to face the Cowboys this week, though the team notably kept TE Theo Johnson (illness) sidelined in Week 17, and he has not yet resumed practicing.

Three Giants players “were sent home or not at practice as they deal with illnesses.” Carter is, unfortunately, among them. The Giants’ stud rookie has been playing very well as of late. An absence would make life far easier on the Cowboys this week. Stay tuned.

The No. 3 overall pick was benched for a series on Sunday after reports surfaced that he slept through practice last week. Carter says the Giants changed their practice schedule and he was getting treatment while he was supposed to be at the walk-through. The young defender still owned up to his mistake but wanted to clear the air on exactly what happened. Between the Carter benching and a loss to the Packers in Week 11, it has been a rocky start for interim head coach Mike Kafka. Things won’t be getting any better in Week 12 when the Giants travel to Detroit to take on the Lions.