The defensive backs group was only recently compiled in the offseason, but changes are already coming. The New York Giants announced today that Walter Thurmond III suffered a torn pectoral muscle in yesterday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Thurmond’s injury will unfortunately require surgery, which will sideline the young corner for the remainder of the 2014 season.
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This injury must be particularly difficult for the talented player who took a one-year ‘prove it’ contract with the Giants. Thurmond had been brought in as a free agent from the Seattle Seahawks to start at slot cornerback where he had already seen 67 snaps in coverage. The secondary has had it’s struggles so far, and in Thurmond’s two games with the New York Giants he allowed completions on 7 of 8 passes thrown in his direction. Nevertheless, Thurmond was expected to contribute on a high level in a much hyped and expensive group.
It appears that Trumaine McBride will likely cover slot receivers going forward for the Giants. Veteran safety and defensive captain Antrel Rolle revealed the team’s plan in post-practice interviews and voiced his confidence in McBride:
"It’s very unfortunate. Walter, we were looking forward to him being a great player for us in our secondary. Like I said, it’s very unfortunate but we have to find a way to move on as professionals. I think we have guys that are going to step in. Right now this week, it’s going to be Trumaine McBride and I have all the confidence in the world in him."
McBride played admirably as an outside cornerback in 2013 which earned him a new two-year contract in the offseason. However, regardless of how much confidence you can have in him, the defensive backs room is still with an empty seat, just as the 53-man roster will soon have a hole after the Giants inevitably put Thurmond on Injured Reserved. There are two important factors that will affect how the Giants manipulate their roster: the potential return of Jayron Hosley and two young defensive backs on the practice squad.
The highly publicized troubles and suspensions of talented Browns receiver Josh Gordon have made most fans aware of impending changes to the NFL’s drug abuse policy. Part of the expected changes is the reinstatement of many players who have been suspended under the policy over the last year.
Although his name has not been on the released lists of players expected to have shortened or vacated suspensions, there is suspicion that Giants CB Jayron Hosley may be back with the team sooner than expected. Hosley played slot cornerback for the Giants throughout 2013, and although his abilities have been questioned and tested at times, he has more experience playing in the slot than each of the remaining Giants’ corners.
The Giants also have two CBs on their practice squad: 6th-round draft pick Bennett Jackson and third year journeyman Chandler Fenner. This kind of depth at the position means there is some possibility that Jackson could be elevated to the 53-man roster. Another player that has been suggested by some is fan favorite Charles James II, who was on the practice squad in 2013 before being brought on to the active roster. However, James was part of the first round of preseason cuts this year which tends to suggest that the Giants were ready to move on.
Don’t be surprised to see roster moves in the near future, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the New York Giants will add a defensive back. NFL rosters can be very fluid during the season, and if the team feels confident in their current players, changes may be coming elsewhere.