NEW YORK — Giants coach Brian Daboll, who is under investigation for violating the NFL’s concussion protocol on the sideline of the Giants’ Week 6 win over the Eagles, was asked Thursday if center John Michael Schmitz is going to a neurologist Friday to get cleared. “You have to ask the doctors about the concussion protocol,” Daboll said before practice. That was an interesting response ...

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images North America/TNS

NEW YORK — Giants coach Brian Daboll, who is under investigation for violating the NFL’s concussion protocol on the sideline of the Giants’ Week 6 win over the Eagles, was asked Thursday if center John Michael Schmitz is going to a neurologist Friday to get cleared.

“You have to ask the doctors about the concussion protocol,” Daboll said before practice.

That was an interesting response considering the joint investigation between the NFL and NFL players’ association remains “ongoing,” according to league spokesman Jeff Miller.

Those trainers and doctors Daboll is referring to are exactly the people being interviewed to determine the severity of the Giants‘ violations while quarterback Jaxson Dart was in the blue tent during that game.

The good news is Schmitz was upgraded to full practice participation and officially cleared the concussion protocol on Thursday, the team said. So he’s trending towards being cleared and returning to the lineup Sunday when the Giants (2-5) visit the Eagles (5-2) in Philadelphia.

The bad news is the Giants are waiting to hear what fines will be levied against the team and Daboll for his behavior on the sideline the last time these two teams met.

The coach’s actions at minimum are supposed to draw heavy fines against both Daboll and the Giants organization. There is also a chance, based on the investigation, that the Giants could have a draft pick taken away.

McCloud joins practice squad

The Falcons sent wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud home in Week 7 and released him this week after McCloud vented frustration about the firing of former Atlanta wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard.

Now McCloud, 29, who had 62 catches for 686 yards and a touchdown last season, joins the Giants’ practice squad. He spent time with Daboll in Buffalo from 2018-2020.

“Yeah, I haven’t talked to Ray-Ray in a long time,” Daboll said Thursday. “Then the situation came up where they moved on from him. I’ve known him. It seems like yesterday, but it was many years ago I’d say a number of teams. A good young man.

“[I] thought he had a productive year last year,” the coach added. “I went back and watched some of it. He has some catching up to do with what we’ve done, but there’s a lot of the terminology — he’s a pretty smart kid. Tampa kid. Had him for a couple years there at Buffalo, and we’ll see how it goes. Let’s get him in, let him work out and see what he can do.”

The Giants cut corner LaMareon James to make room for McCloud and re-signed kicker Jude McAtamney to the practice squad on an international player exemption. So McAtamney does not cost the Giants a roster spot with his return.

Concerns on defense

Starting edge rusher Brian Burns (right foot), starting safety Jevon Holland (knee), starting corner Paulson Adebo (knee) and backup defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (neck) remained out of practice for a second straight day.

Burns said he is “good” for Sunday’s game, but he’s very banged up. He’s also dealing with an injury to his right foot or ankle on top of the hip ailment.

Defensive lineman D.J. Davidson (ankle) also was backed off to a non-participant after being limited Wednesday.

Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (knee), tight end Daniel Bellinger (neck), wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring), linebackers Swayze Bozeman (ankle) and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) and Schmitz were limited.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart (ankle) and kicker Graham Gano (groin) were full participants.