It's not time to panic just yet for NY Giants fans, but this certainly isn't the news that people were hoping for with the rookies reporting for camp. There's plenty of buzz surrounding the 2024 class and fans can't wait to see what they'll be able to get done over the next month or so.
Right now, though, it's up in the air if tight end Theo Johnson will be ready to rock for the first practice session on July 24. With the rookies making their way to East Rutherford, news has just broken that Johnson has been placed on the physically unable to perform list to start the summer. Obviously, this is not welcome news.
#Giants placed Theo Johnson on physically unable to perform list
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 16, 2024
NY Giants TE Theo Johnson has been placed on the PUP list to start camp
The bad news is that Johnson is going to be off the field for an undisclosed amount of time. The good news, though, is that he can be activated off the PUP list at any time, so assuming this is minor, he could still be out there for the first day of practice.
The veterans will make their way to town on July 23 and then the next day, the real fun will begin. Again, it's unknown at this time what happened to Johnson, but the hope is that nothing serious has occurred. The fourth-round pick is expected to play a big role for this offense in '24, so the sooner he can be fully healthy, the better.
It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the Giants at tight end this season. There was plenty of excitement after Johnson was drafted, but then things took a wrong turn when Darren Waller decided to hang up his cleats after all. Daniel Bellinger was not present for OTAs and he didn't participate in minicamp work. He's expected to be just fine for Week 1, though.
Not having Waller around is going to be tough for this team, but Bellinger and Johnson will be looked at to lead the TEs room. This is a minor step back for Johnson, but there's no reason to be overly concerned about his health moving forward just yet.