Bears extend WR Collin Johnson, sign DB Tarvarius Moore

The Bears announced a pair of roster moves on Friday afternoon.

The Chicago Bears announced a pair of roster moves on Friday afternoon, just a few days before the new league year begins. The Bears re-negotiated/extended wide receiver Collin Johnson and signed defensive back Tarvarius Moore.

Johnson joined the Bears midway through last season after playing the last two years with the New York Giants. He spent much of the year on the practice squad, but appeared in a handful of games and made one reception for 11 yards in the penultimate game of the 2023 season.

Moore, meanwhile, comes to the Bears after spending five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, from 2018 to 2022. A third-round pick out of Southern Miss, Moore was a depth safety for San Francisco. His best season came in 2020, when he started eight games and recorded 52 total tackles, one for a loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He signed with the Green Bay Packers last year, but was placed on injured reserve prior to the regular season and was released.

Bears sign ex-Giant Collin Johnson to practice squad

The Chicago Bears are signing former New York Giants wide receiver Collin Johnson to their practice squad.

The Chicago Bears are signing former New York Giants wide receiver Collin Johnson to their practice squad.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz was the first to report the signing on Tuesday.

Johnson was a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 NFL draft. He spent just one season with the team before being waived and subsequently claimed by the Giants in September of 2021.

In his first season with New York, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Johnson hauled in 11 receptions for 105 yards and began to open the eyes of many on the coaching staff.

The following summer, Johnson was in line for a significant role on the Giants’ offense but suffered an untimely torn Achilles, costing him the entire 2022 season.

With an abundance of wide receivers added via free agency and the 2023 NFL draft, Johnson found himself as the odd-man out this year. He was a surprise cut in August.

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5 Giants with most to gain in preseason finale vs. Jets

The New York Giants close out their preseason against the New York Jets on Saturday night and these five players stand the most to gain.

The New York Giants close out their 2023 preseason schedule this Saturday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey against the New York Jets and jobs will be won — or lost — as a result.

Here are five players with the most to gain in the game, should they play.

Giants injury update: D.J. Davidson activated from PUP

The New York Giants have activated DT D.J. Davidson from PUP and offered updates on several other injured players, including Collin Johnson.

Prior to practice on Monday, New York Giants defensive lineman D.J. Davidson passed his physical and was activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Davidson joins a suddenly deep group of interior defensive linemen, including rookie Jordon Riley, who played well in his NFL preseason debut.

Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) and cornerback Aaron Robinson (knee) remain on PUP with no timetable for return, although general manager Joe Schoen previously implied that Robinson could be activated this week.

The news on wide receiver Collin Johnson, who suffered a knee injury against the Detroit Lions, was also somewhat positive. His issue does not appear to be long-term.

“I don’t think it’s long-term, but I’m not a doctor, either,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters.

Johnson will not practice on Monday but right tackle Evan Neal (concussion) will take a step forward. He will participate in the non-contact portion of practice as he works his way back. However, Neal remains in concussion protocol.

Meanwhile, offensive linemen Devery Hamilton (leg) and Tyre Phillips (unknown), running back Gary Brightwell (ankle), linebacker Cam Crown (unknown), defensive lineman Ryder Anderson (triceps), and defensive back Nick McCloud (stomach) will not practice.

Finally, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (abdominal) will practice after leaving Friday night’s preseason game against the Lions early. Nose tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (groin) will also practice.

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Giants have a problem at wide receiver and that’s a good thing

The New York Giants have more solid wide receivers than they have available spots, and that’s a good problem to have.

The New York Giants have a number of options at slot receiver this season, a situation made even more competitive after two veterans logged in solid showings Friday night in Detroit.

Cole Beasley caught all four of his targets for a total of 33 yards and Jamison Crowder reeled in both of his for 32 yards.

The Giants signed each veteran this offseason as insurance after the receiver cupboard ran bare last season due to injuries, forcing the team to sign players off the street.

One of the players they brought in last fall was Isaiah Hodgins, who provided the Giants with a huge boost down the stretch as they drove toward the playoffs.

On Friday night, Hodgins — a prospective starter on the outside — caught one pass for 13 yards to remind everyone that he’s still very much in the plans.

Head coach Brian Daboll put Hodgins in for 18 snaps in the game, some early on and then again later in the game.

“I thought it was good for him,” Daboll said. “He was a practice squad player for a while there and came on with us late, so I thought it was good to get him some reps early on with Tyrod (Taylor).”

The Giants’ wide receiver room is a very crowded one this summer and when the music stops on August 29 for final cuts there won’t be enough chairs. Several will be going home, or at the least, to the practice squad.

Sterling Shepard is back, along with Darius Slayton and Hodgins. They, along with third-rounder Jalin Hyatt and free agent Parris Campbell, are all shoe-ins to make the roster.

That leaves perhaps three open spots on the 53-man roster. With Beasley and Crowder stepping up, that number could be reduced to just one. Several players will have two games to make their cases.

Heralded rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton did not have an impressive debut, failing to reel in any of his three targets and dropping a sure reception that hit him squarely in the chest.

The ever-reliable David Sills V made the most of his time, catching two passes for 36 yards, including one for a 22-yard gain. Sills is a long shot to make the team. The 27-year-old has been with the Giants since 2019, either on the active roster or the practice squad.

Kalil Pimpleton continues to play well, catching both of his chances for a total of 15 yards. He can also contribute on special teams as a returner.

Jaydon Mickens had a six-yard reception in the game, but he appears to be headed to the practice squad (at best).

Collin Johnson, who missed all of 2022 with an Achilles injury, left the game with a knee issue. The 6-foot-6 former Texas standout had been having a solid camp.

As of Saturday, Daboll did not have an updated status on Johnson’s injury.

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Giants drop preseason opener to Lions: 7 takeaways

The New York Giants fell to the Detroit Lions, 21-16, on Friday night in their preseason opener and here are 7 quick takeaways.

The New York Giants opened their 2023 NFL preseason schedule with a 21-16 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Friday night.

Here are seven quick takeaways from the game.

Giants waste two turnovers, fall to Lions in preseason opener

The New York Giants couldn’t capitalize on two INTs as poor O-Line play crippled the offense in a 21-16 preseason-opening loss to the Lions.

The New York Giants opened their 2023 preseason schedule with a late fourth-quarter loss against the Lions in Detroit on Friday night.

As expected, most of the key starters for both teams did not play.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, safety Jason Pinnock, and kicker Graham Gano were the Giants’ captains for the game.

Here’s a quick recap of the defeat.

5 Giants with most to gain in preseason matchup vs. Lions

These 5 New York Giants could gain the most with a strong performance against the Detroit Lions on Friday night in Week 1 of the preseason.

The New York Giants open their 2023 preseason schedule on Friday night when they face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

The Giants’ roster has just a few position battles to focus on and they will be decided on the field. But there are other things to watch such as the 53-man roster.

For some players, they will need to play well to stick while others are fighting their way up the depth chart.

Here are five Giants players who have the most to gain in the game.

Giants have logjam at wide receiver

The New York Giants will bring at least 15 wide receivers into training camp and half of those won’t make the 53-man roster.

The New York Giants will be taking 15 wide receivers to training camp this week, leading to the question — what is the plan?

Are they just throwing options against the wall to see what sticks? Or are they simply creating competition to see who will rise, or are they safeguarding themselves in case of a repeat of last year when they suffered an unusually high number of injuries?

It could be a little of both. The team found themselves shorthanded last season and they don’t want to get caught short again.

The unit will be run again by assistant coach Mike Groh and he will have a diverse group of players of all shapes, sizes and skill sets who possess a varied level of NFL experience.

Of the 15 players, perhaps eight of them will make the team’s final 53-man roster, and — if things go right — one or two of them could end up leading the team in targets and/or catches.

But that will be difficult. The Giants’ big move this offseason on offense was the trade for former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller. He is expected to be heavily involved in the passing game.

So is running back Saquon Barkley, when he returns from his ‘holdout.’ Barkley has been the Giants’ best receiver when healthy the past few years and there’s no reason to stop throwing him the football.  Between he and Waller, there will be fewer opportunities for the wideouts, unless something changes.

So, what should fans expect this summer at wide receiver?

Expect the veterans to get the benefit of the doubt, at least in the beginning. That means initial work for Sterling Shepard, who is returning from another lost season due to injury, and Darius Slayton. Toss in Isaiah Hodgins and Wan’Dale Robinson (when he’s ready), along with free agents Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, Jeff Smith, Cole Beasley, and rookie Jalin Hyatt.

The Giants will try to forge a serviceable unit out of those names. They are top-heavy on slot receivers it seems so they might thin the herd there in favor of some outside options.

The others will all have to have monster camps to even be considered. Collin Johnson, David Sills and rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton are interesting names to watch but where do they fit? Jaydon Mickens, Makai Polk and Kalil Pimpleton are long shots and will have to show special teams prowess to stick.

Wide receiver will be a heavily contested unit this summer and will be a fun one to follow.

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Giants’ Jalin Hyatt, Adoree’ Jackson fielded punts on Day 1 of OTAs

On their first day of organized team activities (OTAs), the New York Giants had CB Adoree’ Jackson and WR Jalin Hyatt fielding punts.

The New York Giants opened organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday in East Rutherford, New Jersey and while no members of the media were permitted to attend, the team did share reports, video highlights and photos.

Among the notes was a tidbit that may bother some Giants fans.

Less than a year removed from Adoree’ Jackson suffering a sprained MCL on a return against the Detroit Lions, he was back fielding punts. This time, he was joined by rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and a slew of others.

A number of different players caught punts early in practice: Adoree’ Jackson, Darnay Holmes, Jamison Crowder, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Jaydon Mickens.

It’s important to note that players are not in pads and no contact is permitted, so any potential danger is very limited. But that won’t be the concern for fans — the concern is whether or not Jackson and Hyatt will return punts in live practices or games this summer.

Below are a few highlights and some addition information worth noting.