New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez stood outside the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center Friday afternoon sporting a grin and a cheerful demeanor.
“Been a long time,” the Tucson native and Canyon del Oro High School graduate said as he walked up to the podium for his first media appearance since late September.
That he was — in fact — walking again was all the more reason for Martinez to smile in his return to his hometown.
The sixth-year pro and Giants team captain tore his ACL in Week 3, ending his season. The 27-year-old had developed a reputation around the league as one of the most durable young linebackers, having played the last four seasons without missing a game.
The 2016 fourth-round draft pick out of Stanford faces a long road back to the field; he’s approaching it with a day-by-day mentality.
“There’s certain check points and things like that,” Martinez said. “As you can see, able to start walking again. Things like moving, bodyweight work in the training room, nothing heavy or anything. It’s been good to finally, mentally for me, to be able to do stuff like that again.”
Expect former Canyon del Oro High Schools standout Blake Martinez to find a new team soon.
Martinez wore a brace on his left knee this week as he watched the Giants practices from the sidelines. Friday, the team finished their three-day practice stint at the Arizona Wildcats football facilities as they prepare to face the Chargers on Sunday in Los Angeles.
During the team’s stay in Tucson, Martinez has been the Giants’ designated tour guide, taking players around town to his favorite restaurants.
“My favorite Mexican food spot was Guadalajara Grill, so we went there,” he said. “Then we did a team activity at my dad’s cousin’s place No Anchovies, great pizza. And then we to Fleming’s (Steakhouse).”
When Martinez learned the team would be coming to the UA to practice, he “was excited for it,” he said before adding, “I have my bittersweet moments about it.”
Arizona did not recruit Martinez as a high schooler, even though he ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 32 inside linebacker in his class.
“They didn’t want me to play here. So I went to Stanford and became smart,” he said.
Martinez blossomed at Stanford, eventually earning First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2015 before getting drafted by the Green Bay Packers. He spent four seasons in Green Bay before signing a three-year, $30 million contract with New York in March of 2020.
The linebacker recorded 140 tackles, three sacks and an interception with the Giants last year; he averaged 10.5 tackles in the first two games of 2021 before going down with the injury.
Martinez admitted that it’s been tough to watch from afar, but said he’s slowly reincorporating himself back into the team’s day-to-day routine as he’s become more mobile.
Last Sunday against Miami marked the first time Martinez had been allowed to stand on the sidelines during a game. The previous eight weeks, he watched the games from his couch.
“It’s slowly growing more and more over the past couple weeks,” Martinez said of his involvement.
For the Giants, who rank 23rd out of 32 NFL teams in yards allowed per game and 18th in points allowed, getting a healthy Martinez back next season will be key.
Until then, Martinez is focused on what he can do each day to get one step closer to returning.
“For me, I’ve always been a person that loves the challenge,” he said. “And when this happened, obviously it sucks to happen, but it’s something I can put on my bucket list of something that I worked through, and came back and conquered.”
Extra points
• Giants coach Joe Judge wore an Arizona football hoodie and a UA hat to practice Friday.
• QB Mike Glennon was cleared from concussion protocol and will be the team’s starting quarterback Sunday at the Chargers. Daniel Jones remains out with a neck injury.
The Giants were scheduled to stay Friday night in Tucson before flying out Saturday.
Photos: New York Giants practice in Tucson
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The New York Giants stretch during their final practice in Tucson on Friday.
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Expect former Canyon del Oro High Schools standout Blake Martinez to find a new team soon.
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New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell, 37, warm-ups with fellow teammates during the New York Giants final practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney, 29, high-fives two young Giants fans Rene Dominguez Jr., 4, and his brother Giovanni Dominguez, 3, during the New York Giants final practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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A New York Giants player signs a fans helmet before the New York Giants final practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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A group of New York Giants players walk past some fans while walking to practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, 26, takes a picture with fans Sabrina Hernandez, left, and her two kids Rene Dominguez Jr., 4, and Giovanni Dominguez, 3, before the New York Giants final practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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AJ Lopez, right, who has been a New York Giants fan for 20 years, gets his jersey signed by Giants running back Saquon Barkely, 26, during the New York Giants final practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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The New York Giants offensive line runs drills during the New York Giants final practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, 26, dances while stretching with the team during the New York Giants final practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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New York Giants wide receiver Pharoh Cooper, 23, talks with fellow teammates while stretching during the New York Giants final practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 10th, 2021.
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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, 26, catches the ball while running a drill during the New York Giants second practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 9th, 2021.
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney, 29, tries to break up a pass intended for defensive back Logan Ryan, 23, during the New York Giants second practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 9th, 2021.
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An equipment bag sits on the field under a sky filled with clouds while the New York Giants lineman work during the New York Giants second practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 9th, 2021.
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University of Arizona freshman and New York Giants fan for 19 years Louden Montoya, left, talks with his friend Christian Medina, who has been a Giants fan for 17 years, while Medina waves at players walking towards The Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center before the Giants second practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 9th, 2021.
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Former University of Arizona running back and running back for The New York Giants Gary Brightwell, 37, catches the ball while running a drill during the New York Giants second practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 9th, 2021.
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New York Giants Assistant Special Teams coach Tom Quinn, right, works with Cam Brown, 47, during the New York Giants second practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 9th, 2021. Quinn played at the University of Arizona from 1986-1990 as a linebacker.
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jordan McCloud, right, watches the Giants practice Thursday at the Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields on campus at the UA.
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Tucsonan Phil Velez, left, asks Giants safety Julian Love for an autograph after the NFL team practiced Thursday on the UA campus.
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New York Giants defensive players huddle before running drills during their practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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Former University of Arizona running back and running back for The New York Giants Gary Brightwell, 37, waits for his turn to run an offensive drill with fellow offensive players during the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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Giants linebacker Blake Martinez, right, laughs with teammate Tae Crowder during Wednesday’s practice on the UA campus. The former Canyon del Oro High School standout has served as a tour guide of sorts during the NFL team’s stay in Tucson.
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Eliazar Reyes, 8, right, and his brother Aaron Reyes, 6, stretch with New York Giants Azeez Ojulari, 51, during the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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Former University of Arizona running back and running back for The New York Giants Gary Brightwell, 37, runs drills during the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan, 23, catches the ball while running a drill during the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry, 24, runs a drill during the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, 26, runs a drill during the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams, 99, runs a drill with fellow teammate defensive lineman Raymond Johnson III, 91, during the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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Arizona Football wide receiver Jamarye Joiner, 10, watches the defensive lineman during the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
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Former University of Arizona running back and running back for The New York Giants Gary Brightwell, 37, grabs his helmet after being interviewed following the New York Giants practice at The University of Arizona's Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 8th, 2021.
