There’s been plenty of roster shuffling for the NY Giants over the past week and we’ve now seen more of the same. That’s because the G-Men have decided to part ways with young linebacker Justin Hilliard. With that, though, New York has replaced Hilliard by signing former Cincinnati Bengals ‘backer Austin Calitro.
It’s been a rough offseason for Hilliard, who now has to try and find a new home with training camp underway across the league. Prior to his release from the Giants, Hilliard made headlines earlier this year for all the wrong reasons, at it was announced he had been suspended for two games due to a PED violation.
The #Giants are waiving LB Justin Hilliard. He’d been with them since signing last September, appearing in two games last season. Just not a great fit in Wink Martindale’s 3-4 defense. More of a 4-3 guy.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 28, 2022
NY Giants cutting LB Justin Hilliard isn’t much of a surprise
A former standout for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Hilliard didn’t hear his name called during the 2021 NFL Draft. He ended up signing a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, but things didn’t last too long for him there. Then, this opened the door for the Giants to ink him and Hilliard ended up appearing in two games last season. He was hoping to play a bigger role for the squad in 2022, but then the PED suspension arrived.
"“I have been informed by the NFL that I tested positive for a banned diuretic – Spironolactone (Canrenone),” Hilliard posted on his Twitter account. “After investigation, it became clear that I mistakenly took my partner’s prescription medication instead of my own anti-inflammatory prescription. I am well aware of the NFL’s zero-tolerance policy, and I take full responsibility for having a banned substance in my body.”"
Meanwhile for Calitro, he has a bit more experience than Hilliard, as the 6-0, 240-pounder is entering his fifth year in the league. Calitro hasn’t quite been able to stick around with one organization, however, as the Giants are becoming team No. 5 for him already. Calitro has suited up for the Seahawks, Jaguars, Broncos and most recently the Bengals.
Last season for Cincinnati, Calitro appeared in five games, putting up six total tackles. He’s clearly a depth signing for the Giants right now, but a strong training camp with the team could help Calitro stick around East Rutherford for a little while. With Hilliard, he’ll now be hoping that his phone rings soon with a team on the other line waiting to give him a new chance.