Many players normally head home to see their families or simply get a change of scenery during the bye week. For Giants TE Evan Engram, he remained in East Rutherford so he could be ready to help his team this week.
Engram suffered a mid-foot sprain against the Cowboys two weeks ago, and has been working hard to get back on the field as soon as possible. And that included work during the bye week.
He's now out of his walking boot, and says he's feeling good.
"I'm feeling really good, progress is going along really well," he told reporters after practice, where he didn't participate. "The trainers are doing a really good job, it's definitely on the upward trend of getting back soon.
"I'm doing a lot of stuff in the pool, taking some weight off. We have a Alter G machine that kind of varies your body weight, I've been running and moving around. I'm gradually working on that and like I said, it's a day by day thing, improving and getting better."
Whether or not Engram will be available against the Bears on the road Sunday is still up in the air. He admitted his recovery timetable was 2-4 weeks, and though it has been two weeks, the Giants obviously don't want to rush him back on the field.
"No, it was a two to four week diagnosis, so it was kind of in between there," Engram said. "Two weeks is today, I honestly think I am a little bit ahead of schedule."
So does that mean Engram thinks he'll be able to suit up in Chicago?
"It's definitely possible, I feel good," he admitted. "We'll see where we're at (in the) middle to the end of this week. I'm staying locked in in meetings, game plans and stuff like that, that's very important as well. I think as long as I stay prepared mentally and continue to do what I do with my foot, I could be ready to go."
The Giants could definitely use Engram back on the field against a stingy Bears defense. Sterling Shepard was practicing on Monday, but head coach Pat Shurmur said he is still in concussion protocol. Also, Saquon Barkley hasn't been himself in recent weeks. Maybe the bye week could help out that ankle.
Engram's presence in the passing game helps Daniel Jones tremendously, and would bring back a much-needed option. But his health takes precedent, and with the Giants currently 2-7 and playoff hopes very slim, Engram should be 100 percent before touching the field again.
We'll see if that's this Sunday or down the road.