Injury Report: The Hits Keep On Coming
By Jesse Connor
Going into Saturday night’s pre-season game vs the Jacksonville Jaguars the Giants were short 14 players, all listed on the injury report. Half of those 14 players were defensive backs, 3 safeties and 4 cornerbacks. The other 7 comprised of 3 wide receivers 2 offensive lineman, 1 defensive lineman and 1 linebacker.
Unfortunately that list is growing as we approach the regular season. During their win over Jacksonville the Giants lost 2 more safeties and 2 linebackers.
New York Giants
Safety Bennett Jackson, who has had a strong camp and lead the Giants in tackles last week vs the Bengals, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Jackson had 6 tackles before injuring his knee in the 4th quarter Saturday night. He looked poised to take a starting role on the back end of the secondary, partly due to depth issues. Either way Jackson’s play was very promising. The 6th round pick from last year was turning heads while making strong tackles, taking good angles, and making smart reads. Now Jackson will be focusing on a lengthy rehab.
Fellow safety Justin Currie suffered a broken ankle and will also miss the remainder of the season. Currie was by no means a lock to make the roster but his chances were rapidly increasing as the Giants wait for Landon Collins, Nat Berhe, and Cooper Taylor to work back from their own injury issues. Currie showed good speed during his limited time on the field. He, like Jackson, will be now focused on recovering and rehabbing.
Jon Beason and Mark Herzlich also left Saturday night with injuries. The Giants came into the game with the linebacker position pretty well in tact and left without their middle linebacker and his backup.
Beason finds himself in an all too familiar place on the injury report. Beason has not played a full season since 2011. He plays what I like to call a high impact position. The middle linebacker is more often then not clashing with a ball carrier, fullback, or lineman and it has taken its toll on the former All-Pro and Pro-Bowler. Fortunately Beason’s injury is not season ending. He is reported to have a sprained knee and is currently listed as week to week. A familiar situation developed last season as Beason was unable to recover from a toe injury. When Beason is healthy he has the ability to be one of the best linebackers in the league. The problem for him has been staying healthy. This is not a good start for a guy who has missed 40 games over the past 4 seasons.
Beason’s primary backup, Mark Herzlich, also left the contest vs the Jags. Herzlich has a concussion but there has been no word on a timetable for his return. Herzlich will be playing primarily as a special teamer and backup this season. He has shown the ability to be a strong run defender as he tackles very well and has excellent size but his pass coverage leaves something to be desired. His absence may clear room, if not temporarily, for Unai Unga. Unga has had a very strong pre season thus far and has showed the ability to make plays.
Though Jackson was showing promise, only the Beason injury effects a proven player and starter. With depth wearing thin the Giants must find some hidden gems to fill in the vacated roster spots. It may be time to make a trade for a veteran safety. Letting Antrel Rolle walk for the price New York brought in special teamer and backup linebacker Jonathan Casillas is looking dumber and dumber by the day.