The New York Giants worked out punter Luke Elzinga on Thursday, and the visit had nothing to do with Jordan Stout.
Elzinga is left-footed, the same as Washington’s Tress Way, and the Giants brought him in so their returners could see that ball live before Sunday’s trip to Northwest Stadium. A left-footed punt tails and spins differently than the right-footed kicks return units face most weeks, and Way has built a career on that edge.
A three-time Pro Bowler and the Commanders’ franchise leader in punting yards, Way remains one of the few lefties in the league. Opponents have used the same kind of workout for years to mimic his flight ahead of facing him.
The timing made the session easy to misread. Stout, who signed with New York in free agency
after leaving Baltimore, is the Giants’ punter. Elzinga was the player the Ravens signed in April to compete for the job Stout left behind. Baltimore released him in late July, before full training camp practices began, leaving rookie Ryan Eckley unopposed.
An undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma who started at Central Michigan, Elzinga has yet to punt in a regular-season game. The Eagles also worked him out before Week 1.
For a 3-1 Giants team heading to Washington, the workout was preparation, not a roster audition.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants worked out punter Luke Elzinga for sneaky reason
