The New York Giants already faced questions about what their cornerback room would look like before the start of the season. Now, the group is in danger of putting on a disastrous performance against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2.
John Harbaugh confirmed that Paulson Adebo will be placed on the injured reserve this weekend after missing practice all week with a knee injury that he suffered in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He'll miss at least four weeks. The earliest that he could return is Week 6, when the Giants take on the New Orleans Saints.
Adebo had already fallen out of favor before his injury, losing his starting role to Deonte Banks. Still, the Giants lack important depth without him. New York's first major injury hit of the regular season could be more impactful than it seems.
New York Giants CB Paulson Adebo headed to IR
Adebo saw just ten snaps against the Cowboys. Banks and Greg Newsome II took on the majority of the outside cornerback work, each playing over 45 defensive snaps in Week 1. Rookie Colton Hood played a limited role, filling in when other cornerbacks suffered injuries.
Unfortunately, Adebo isn't the only injured cornerback. Banks and Newsome II have both missed practice time this week. Banks is dealing with a calf issue, while Newsome II has a rib injury. Neither player is expected to miss significant time, but their availability against the Rams is still up in the air.
Even if both Banks and Adebo play, the Giants will need more out of Hood than they did in Week 1. He'll become the third outside cornerback and would likely see at least 20 defensive snaps. Against most teams, it would be easy to hide a rookie cornerback by giving him favorable matchups and safety help.
But there's no escaping the Rams' pass-catching talent. Davante Adams and Puka Nacua make up one of the NFL's best wide receiver duos. When Hood is on the field, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford won't hesitate to test him.
The rookie's performance, along with the availability of Banks and Newsome II, will be a major factor in Monday night's game.
The cornerback room was one of the Giants' only blemishes in their win over the Cowboys. Cornerbacks committed multiple penalties and struggled in one-on-one situations. If that continues in a group depleted by Adebo's injury, it won't be pretty for the Giants.
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