ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Cornerback Amani Oruwariye ran with speedster Kalif Raymond on a deep pass Wednesday during the Giants’ joint practice with the Lions.
The pass was not completed.
A bit later, Oruwariye and receiver Marvin Jones wrestled for a 50-50 ball in the side of the end zone and Jones came away with it for a touchdown.
Something good, something not quite as good.
It was a homecoming of sorts for Oruwariye, who spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Lions after arriving as a 2019 fifth-round pick out of Penn State.
Oruwariye, 27, started 27 games for the Lions before the Giants signed him this offseason to a one-year contract.
“Another guy that we have in the mix, competing out,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “Been a good addition for us. Thought he had a good day [Tuesday].”
There is plenty of competition in the Giants’ cornerbacks room.
Veteran Adoree’ Jackson and rookie first-round pick Deonte Banks are the starters on the outside and the slot corner spot is still open, with Darnay Holmes and Cor’Dale Flott vying for the position.
Another rookie, sixth-round pick Tre Hawkins, is playing his way into a role as an outside corner, as is Oruwariye, who at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds has the size to deal with bigger wide receivers.
Saquon Barkley did not receive a full workload during the two days of joint practices.
The running back was not on the field Tuesday during the red-zone period.
“That’s the part of the process that I talked to you guys about with the training staff of just making sure we’re being smart with our guys,” Daboll said.
The Lions currently do not have a statue for anyone in their organization, but that will soon change, as a Barry Sanders statue is in the works.
Sanders, a Hall of Famer and No. 4 on the NFL’s all-time rushing list, watched the Lions and Giants practice together on Tuesday and chatted with Barkley.
“He’s the GOAT, man, he’s unbelievable,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Sanders. “For somebody like me, out in the middle of nowhere, Texas, dirt roads and cattle everywhere and you’re watching Barry Sanders running around, and to be able, now you’re standing with him, talking with him and he’s part of, certainly the most noticeable face for the Detroit Lions, it’s awesome. It’s an honor.
“I think that’s great what they’re doing with the statue. He is one of the most humble guys you could ever be around. I think our guys notice that, they appreciate him and it’s great having him around.”