Forget ghosts, zombies and vampires.
Two days after Halloween, the Giants really could scare their fans with the secondary that plays Sunday against the 49ers. Especially by having recently benched cornerback Deonte Banks drawing the top assignment.
The Giants practiced Thursday without No. 1 cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee), No. 2 cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (concussion) and backup cornerback Art Green (hamstring).
That could leave the Giants starting Banks (who was benched and limited to three snaps Oct. 9) and rookie seventh-round pick Korie Black (who was on the Jets practice squad as recently as Oct. 20).
“He’s been engaged,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said of Banks’ handling of a diminished role. “He comes in. He works every day. Never going to be perfect with any of these guys. There’s always plays, but I do think he’s taking the next step and just being a pro in what it takes week in and week out.”
The 49ers average the second-most passing yards per game (259.3) in the NFL, but their top wideout is Kendrick Bourne (28 catches for 429 yards and no touchdowns). Running back Christian McCaffrey (56 for 559 and three TDs) is their receiving option, which means it would be risky to move Dru Phillips from his spot starting in the slot to the perimeter.
Banks has allowed 11 catches and two touchdowns on 13 targets this season, per Pro Football Focus.
“Deonte always prepares the same way no matter what’s going on with his role,” Phillips said. “He always knew his time would come. He’s stepped up in big ways on special teams. You never know what’s going to happen throughout the season. Now he’s guarding No. 1 [receivers] again. The real pros stay locked in, and he was one of those guys.”
The Giants also could be shorthanded at safety as Jevon Holland (knee) remains limited. Dane Belton would take his spot.
“Whenever we go through meetings, we don’t leave guys out,” Phillips said. “They are communicating like they are going to play on Sunday. There are some things to be more vocal about because we have some new guys, but we expect the same results as the guys from three weeks ago. I believe it.”
WR Ray-Ray McCloud — who was signed to the practice squad last week after being cut by the Falcons — has flashed. Could he provide a game-day boost to the receiver corps?
“I noticed some familiarity with the offense,” coordinator Mike Kafka said, referring to McCloud’s time with Brian Daboll in Buffalo. “You can see that already. You can see some of the carry-over.”
The special teams coordinator matchup will be mentor (49ers’ Brant Boyer) against protégé (Giants’ Michael Ghobrial). Ghobrial was Boyer’s assistant with the Jets from 2021-23.
“For him to give me some of that experience that he’s had from both playing and coaching when I worked for him, I’m indebted to him,” Ghobrial said. “I look forward to the competition, and I know he does too.”
Kick coverage has been an underrated strength for the Giants this season.
Graham Gano validated the Giants’ risky decision to activate him from injured reserve and not elevate insurance from the practice squad last week by converting two PATs and two field goals (34 and 47 yards).
“Seeing him kick during the week gave us some conviction that he was going to have success,” Ghobrial said. “Him getting ready for that game I know meant a lot to him, meant a lot to this organization.
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