Tag: Isaiah Simmons

Giants re-sign linebacker Isaiah Simmons

The New York Giants have re-signed versatile linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

The New York Giants have re-signed fifth-year linebacker and safety Isaiah Simmons.

The Giants acquired Simmons from the Arizona Cardinals for a 2024 seventh-round pick. The Clemson product reunited with his championship teammate, Dexter Lawrence, in The Big Apple.

It was a good change of scenery as Simmons struggled to get a good hang of the linebacker position in Phoenix.

In his first year with Big Blue, Simmons impressed as he appeared in all 17 games and totaled 50 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one 54-yard pick-six.

Simmons has also had a good injury history so far as he has never missed a game in his career.

The former eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft will have a chance to build on his freshman season in East Rutherford in 2024 as he is currently the third linebacker behind Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden.

Simmons may also be able to get some snaps at safety as the Giants have a lot of inexperience at the safety position with an aging Jalen Mills and the fact that Dane Belton and Jason Pinnock starting a combined total of 30 games in their career.

Simmons will add a rotational athlete that the Giants desperately need.

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5 LBs the Colts should target in free agency

Taking a look at LB depth options in free agency.

The Indianapolis Colts are set at linebacker with Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed in 2024 but the position doesn’t have a lot of depth entering the offseason.

As of this writing, Segun Olubi and Grant Stuard are the only players under contract. While I like what Olubi showed in 2023 and Stuard as a core special teamer, competition for the third linebacker spot on the depth chart needs to be considered.

Plus, the future of the position has to be kept in mind this offseason with Franklin and Speed entering the final year of their contracts.

With the starting roles locked up, I don’t foresee Chris Ballard targeting the top linebackers that are set to hit the market so players who will likely command a payday and a starting role have been omitted.

Here are five linebackers that should be on Ballard’s radar if he chooses to find some depth via free agency:

5 players who could have bigger roles for Giants in 2024

These five players could have bigger and more noteworthy roles for the New York Giants during the 2024 regular season.

The New York Giants finished a disappointing 6-11 in 2023, failing to follow up their encouraging 2022 when they went 9-8, won a Wild Card playoff game, and advanced to the NFC Divisional round.

They hope to turn things around in 2024. If they are to do so, they’ll need to get contributions from some of the younger players on their roster who have not yet established themselves.

Here are five players who should have bigger roles in 2024 for the Giants.

Giants’ 6 biggest surprises of 2023

The New York Giants’ 2023 season wasn’t all bad. Despite the drama issues, there are six players who surprised us with their performance.

The 2023 NFL season has come to an end for the New York Giants, who finished with an ugly 6-11 record.

There’s already been a ton of upheaval across the league, and the Giants are no exception. Still, as hard as this season was to watch, it wasn’t all bad. There were some high points, including a handful of wins under a third-string quarterback.

That’s not the only highlight of the season. Despite the turmoil in the front office, there are players on both sides of the ball who surprised us with their performance on the field.

Giants injury report: Darren Waller designated to return from IR

The New York Giants have designated TE Darren Waller to return from injured reserve (IR) and he could play on Sunday vs. New Orleans.

The New York Giants returned to practice on Thursday — their first full practice of the week — and the first order of business was a significant one.

Just prior to taking the field, the team announced that tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) had been designated to return from injured reserve (IR). If all goes well, he could see a few snaps on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Waller indicated on Wednesday that he was close to a return but was just awaiting the green light from trainers.

In other positive news, every single player on the active roster participated on at least a limited basis for the second straight day. All have a chance to play in Week 15 — right tackle Evan Neal included.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: N/A

Limited participant: OL Evan Neal (ankle), CB Cor’Dale Flott (shoulder), NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DL A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring/finger), LB Isaiah Simmons (ankle), TE Darren Waller (hamstring)

Full participant: WR Parris Campbell (knee), LB Azeez Ojulari (shoulder)

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Giants’ Evan Neal out, Dexter Lawrence questionable vs. Packers

The New York Giants have listed NT Dexter Lawrence as questionable in Week 14 but are “hopeful” he will play on Monday Night Football.

The New York Giants closed out their practice slate on Saturday afternoon, wrapping up their third session in four days.

Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, who is nursing a hamstring injury, was a practice participant for the second straight day (and third as a projected participant). Head coach Brian Daboll said he will be listed as questionable and stands a chance to play in Week 14.

Daboll was equally hopeful for fellow defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, who has also been hobbled by a hamstring issue.

Meanwhile, tight end Daniel Bellinger missed his second consecutive day of practice due to an illness. He is questionable but should play assuming his health improves over the next 48 hours.

As anticipated, right tackle Evan Neal remains out and it’s unclear when (or if) he’ll return to the field this season.

Full injury reports for both the Giants and Packers can be found below:

Giants injury report: Dexter Lawrence limited in practice

For the second straight day, New York Giants NT Dexter Lawrence was a limited participant in practice. TE Daniel Bellinger was added as DNP.

The New York Giants returned to the field on Friday for their second of three full practices ahead of a Week 14 game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football.

Once again, all eyes were on nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and right tackle Evan Neal.

As expected, Neal did not participate in practice and is unlikely to play on Monday night. However, as head coach Brian Daboll previously alluded, Lawrence saw his workload increase and could, potentially, be available against Green Bay.

Lawrence was officially limited, which was the same as his Thursday projection.

The Giants’ full Friday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Evan Neal (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (illness)

Limited participant: NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DL A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring), LB Isaiah Simmons (ankle)

Full participant: QB Tyrod Taylor (ribs), LB Carter Coughlin (hip)

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Giants injury report: Dexter Lawrence takes step toward return

New York Giants NT Dexter Lawrence was projected as limited in practice on Thursday, while RT Evan Neal continues to sit out.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday and then had off on Thursday ahead of a Week 14 game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football.

On Wednesday, nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and right tackle Evan Neal were not participating due to their respective injuries.

Head coach Brian Daboll did express hope that Lawrence could return to practice on Friday, but shared far less optimism as it related to Neal.

“Yeah, I’m hopeful. I’m hopeful he’ll be out here on Friday. That’s what I’m hoping,” Daboll said told reporters.

True to his word, Lawrence took a projected step forward on Thursday and was listed as a projected participant in practice. Neal, on the other hand, remained out.

If Neal misses Monday night’s game, it will be his fourth in a row and sixth in seven games.

Meanwhile, Daboll indicated that tight end Darren Waller would remain on injured reserve (IR) for one more week and hinted that cornerback Aaron Robinson may not play at all this season.

“Not sure,” Daboll said when asked if Robinson would come off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

The Giants’ full (projected) Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Evan Neal (ankle)

Limited participant: NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DL A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring), LB Isaiah Simmons (ankle)

Full participant: QB Tyrod Taylor (ribs), LB Carter Coughlin (hip)

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Commanders QB Sam Howell throws third pick-six in as many games

Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell is now one game away from tying the NFL’s record for consecutive pick-six games.

In the 2013 NFL season, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub threw an interception for an opponent touchdown in four straight games, which was a record one thinks might never be broken.

Well, Mr. Schaub, Sam Howell of the Washington Commanders is now on your heels. When Howell threw this interception to Miami Dolphins edge-rusher Andrew Van Ginkel for a 33-yard touchdown with 11:18 left in the first half…

It marked the third straight game in which Howell had thrown a pick-six.

Last week against the Dallas Cowboys, Howell allowed Dallas cornerback DaRon Bland to set the NFL’s single-season record with his fifth pick-six of the season, which now seems all too predictable.

And then, at the end of Washington’s Week 11 game against the New York Giants, Howell threw this lame duck to linebacker/EDGE Isaiah Simmons.

This is not the kind of record anybody wants to break, but after Washington’s Week 14 bye, the Los Angeles Rams will certainly be looking for opportunities in this regard.

Studs and duds from Giants’ Week 12 win vs. Patriots

Here’s a look at the studs and duds (and studly duds) from a 10-7 win for the New York Giants against the New England Patriots in Week 12.

The New York Giants took on the New England Patriots at a rainy MetLife Stadium on Sunday and the play on the field was about as ugly as the second-half weather.

Both the Giants and Patriots resembled the 2- and 3-win teams they are and showed why they are near the bottom of the league in most metrics. It was an ugly slog of a game that seemed to draw on and on.

Tackling was abhorrent, drops were abundant, missed assignments were frequent and there were precious few highlights over 60 game minutes. It was just a poor display of NFL football.

In the end, the Giants hung on thanks to three Patriots interceptions and a missed chip-shot field as time expired. Oogly.

Here is a look at some of the studs and duds (and studly duds) from the Week 12 win.