EAST RUTHERFORD — The Carolina Panthers, like the Giants, have been one of the least successful NFL franchises since 2017. But for two members of Big Blue, their next opponent holds a more positive meaning. Outside linebacker Brian Burns and tight end Chris Manhertz both spent five seasons developing and molding into leaders with the Panthers, so it will be a fun reunion Sunday when the two teams clash in the fourth-ever NFL game played in Germany. “Over five years, you build that bond with a lot of people in a lot of different ways,” Burns said. “I do have a special connection with some people from the equipment staff, training staff and some of the lunch people. I’ve just got connections all over that building. So I can’t wait to see them.” Burns, 26, was the Panthers’ first-round pick from Florida State in 2019. He turned 46 sacks over five seasons into a five-year, $141 million contract with the Giants as part of a sign-and-trade deal in March. While he wasn’t surprised to get moved to New York given the direction of Carolina’s franchise, Burns said he never asked to be traded. He never got to say goodbye to several members of the team before he left, but he has remained in touch with players like linebacker Shaq Thompson and cornerback Jaycee Horn. “I was just excited to start a new opportunity, a new adventure,” Burns said. “To continue my chapter and let’s play some good ball — that’s it.” The Giants are a 6.5-point betting favorite in Sunday’s game which will feature two 2-7 seasons. It’s the first time the Giants are favored in a game since facing the Panthers in Week 2 of the 2023 season (24 straight games as underdogs). “It’s just another game to me,” Burns said. “I’m going to prepare the same way and plan to get a win in Germany.” Manhertz, meanwhile, was claimed off waivers by the Panthers after being released by the Saints in October of 2016. The 10th-year veteran played in 67 games with Carolina from 2016-20 mostly as a blocking specialist. “It was a great organization. I was around great people,” Manhertz said. “That was off the era of the likes of Cam Newton, Thomas Davis, Julius Peppers and coming off a Super Bowl (in 2015). Greg Olsen, just being in a room with him (was) kind of instrumental to my growth and development as a player, just being around winners and a good culture and how to win. It kind of allowed me to carry those types of things forward throughout my career.” But Manhertz, likes, Burns, also wants focus on football as the Giants aim to end their four-game losing streak. They fly to Munich on Thursday evening, with the expectation being that the team will have part of a day over the weekend to be tourists. “You try to explore and check certain things off the boxes, but ultimately it’s a business trip,” Manhertz said. Injury Report The Giants are unlikely to have their second-leading receiver for Sunday’s game. Darius Slayton (concussion) didn’t practice Wednesday. He was limited to light jogging, stretching and balancing work with the training staff during the media portion of practice, and Daboll seemed pessimistic on Slayton’s chances of playing against the Panthers. Slayton is allowed to travel with the team to Germany before clearing the concussion protocol, but it will depend on how far along he is in the process. “He could possibly not travel,” Slayton said. “We’ll see where he’s at. Yeah, that hasn’t been decided yet, but if he’s not progressing where he needs to progress, there’s a chance we could not travel him.” Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (veteran rest day), wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles) and right guard Greg Van Roten (shoulder) also did not practice. Kicker Graham Gano, meanwhile, was designated to return from injured reserve and was back on the practice field in a limited capacity. Gano has not played since Week 2 because of a right hamstring strain. He technically doesn’t use a spot on the active roster until the Giants decide in the next 21 days whether to activate him or put him on season-ending injured reserve. Trade Deadline The Giants’ only roster moves before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline were to waive cornerback Nick McCloud and terminate punter Matt Haack’s vested veteran contract. The Haack move was because punter Jamie Gillan, who missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, is expected to play against the Panthers. McCloud was a more controversial move because he started five games this season, had the flexibility to play outside and in the slot, and was also a core special teams player. But the Giants reportedly wanted McCloud to take a pay cut that would save the team about $1 million, and the 26-year-old refused. The Giants then promoted cornerback Art Green from the practice squad and signed Haack and center Bryan Hudson to the practice squad. “Got a lot of respect for Nick, but that’s a decision that we made,” Daboll said when asked to elaborate on cutting McCloud. “Bring Art up and he’s kind of going to do some of those roles.”