Micah McFadden – Syndication Server

Giants’ lost season has some small silver linings

Things have not gone well for the New York Giants this season but there are some small silver linings entering the final few weeks.

The New York Giants are 2-11 after 14 weeks of this 2024 NFL season and with a loss on Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens will enter into some infamous territory.

A loss would be their ninth straight, tying the franchise record for consecutive losses set in 1976 and equaled in 2003-2004 and again in 2019.

It would also be their eighth home loss of the season, a new high (or low, however you look at it). The record for consecutive home losses is 10, set between 1973-75.

The Giants are averaging 14.9 points per game. If they continue at this pace, it will be their second-lowest offensive output since the league expanded to a 16-game format in 1978. In 1979, they averaged 14.8 PPG.

So, is there any good news coming out of this depressing season? Any “silver linings?”

Yes, there are a few.

Let’s start with the bittersweet story of second-round pick Tyler Nubin. The rookie safety was leading the Giants — and all NFL rookies — in tackles (98). Unfortunately, Nubin was placed on injured reserve (IR) this week with an ankle injury and will miss the remainder of the season.

Then, of course, there is first-round pick Malik Nabers, who is in line to set some franchise records. He currently has 80 receptions with four games remaining. He is on pace to record 109 catches, which would pass the franchise record for rookies (91 – Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley) and the all-time single-season record set by Steve Smith in 2009 (107).

Fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. ranks second among NFL rookies in rush yards (664) and fourth in scrimmage yards (880) despite the Giants using him in a rotation with Devin Singletary.

Edge rusher Brian Burns is playing up to his billing and is not done yet. He leads the team with 12 tackles for a loss and has 7.0 sacks. Burns is one of three players with seven or more sacks in each of the past six seasons. Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett of Cleveland are the others.

Inside linebackers Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden are building their resumes further this season. Okereke needs seven tackles to achieve his fourth straight 100-plus tackle season (second with the Giants).

Last week, McFadden became the fifth player in the past five seasons with five tackles for a loss in a single game. This week, he’s aiming for his fourth game in a row at home with 11-plus tackles.

And that concludes the good news. With four weeks to go, there could be more as the Giants try to end this season on an uptick.

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Kayvon Thibodeaux believes the Giants locker room is a meritocracy

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux admits the team needs leaders but says players who don’t produce shouldn’t have a voice.

With nose tackle Dexter Lawrence on injured reserve (IR) and likely out for the season, the New York Giants are down to just two team captains — linebacker Bobby Okereke and long-snapper Casey Kreiter.

Who steps up to lead over the final five weeks is anyone’s guess but edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has some theories on how things will shake out.

Specifically, Thibodeaux says, people who don’t make plays need to button their lips and allow the productive players to speak instead.

“Well, if you ask me from a real standpoint, in my personal opinion, this is a not for long league. So, telling guys that you have to wait until after a certain amount of time to be a leader is kind of like, it’s smoke and mirrors because the average is only three years. So, it’s like how long do you expect a great player to come in and not say anything? That’s kind of not realistic,” he told reporters on Monday.

“Obviously, we hope that the speaking up and everything else is uplifting and for the greater good of the team. But for me, when I came in, I kind of faced the same questions as (Malik) Nabers did a couple weeks ago. But I’m a guy that believes this is a meritocracy. So, if you make plays, you have a voice. If you don’t make plays, you don’t have a voice. That’s the name of the business. So, I would say for young guys coming in, continue to make plays first, and then be an impact in leadership.”

So, will it be Thibodeaux who steps into the light as a locker room leader? It’s not something he’s given much consideration.

“I don’t think about it. I just continue to live in my light. And if there are people that I can help on a personal basis or if there’s a way, I can uplift my teammates, I try to do it,” he said.

Linebacker Micah McFadden subscribes to Thibodeaux’s theory of a locker room meritocracy, echoing his comments.

“There’s definitely a balance there. The more you produce, the bigger your voice is. Guys listen to the leaders and the people who are leading from the front and doing their job and executing at a high level,” McFadden said. “I think, especially these last couple of years with the more experience I’ve gotten and more play time, I think I have a bigger voice, especially in our linebacker room. And in the defensive room, as well. Just pointing things out and when there’s younger guys, I can help them along the way.”

But veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton sees things slightly differently, leaving the door open for anyone to come in and lead in the absence of the team’s top captains.

“We try to have the same mentality you do when you play. You have a ‘next man up’ mentality and obviously nobody is ineligible from leading. If you’re going to do the right thing and set the right example and encourage guys and bring guys along, then anybody can lead,” he said.

The Giants don’t seem to be on the same page about anything these days, but in the absence of Lawrence, left tackle Andrew Thomas, and the recently released Daniel Jones, they’ll have to come together and figure something out. They can’t go rudderless over the final five weeks of the season.

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Giants injury report: Tommy DeVito at risk of missing Cowboys game

New York Giants QB Tommy DeVito was added to Tuesday’s injury report and is at risk of missing a Thanksgiving Day game against Dallas.

The New York Giants took the field on Tuesday for a walkthrough practice ahead of their Week 13 game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll met with reporters and revealed that quarterback Tommy DeVito was added to the injury report with a forearm issue.

“If we were practicing today, it’s a walkthrough, he would be limited. His forearm is sore, and we’ll see where we’re at. We had a walkthrough right before this. It is sore, so we’ll see where we’re at here,” Daboll said.

“He threw in the walkthrough. I wouldn’t say it’s timing or a lot of depth to it or velocity to it, but he was throwing in the walkthrough. He’s going to test it out here today in practice in another walkthrough. So, I’m hopeful, but it’s not 100 percent.”

Daboll added that he was “hopeful” both DeVito and right tackle Evan Neal will play, but was less optimistic regarding edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, defensive tackle Armon Watts, and left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.

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

Did not participate: OL Jermaine Eluemunor (quad), LB Azeez Ojulari (toe), DT Armon Watts (shoulder)

Limited participant: QB Tommy DeVito (forearm), OL Evan Neal (hip), CB Deonte Banks (rib), DT D.J. Davidson (shoulder), TE Theo Johnson (back), LB Micah McFadden (thumb/heel), S Tyler Nubin (back)

Full participant: NT Dexter Lawrence (knee)

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Giants’ Malik Nabers, Kayvon Thibodeaux questionable vs. Buccaneers

The New York Giants have listed five players as questionable against the Buccaneers, including WR Malik Nabers and LB Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The New York Giants wrapped up their week of practice on Friday afternoon in East Rutherford, New Jersey and their final injury report indicates the team is relatively healthy for the first time in weeks.

But that wasn’t without some pitfalls.

Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was added to the injury report on Friday and did not practice after suffering a groin injury. Linebacker Micah McFadden also missed practice but told reporters he expects to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Both players are listed as questionable.

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

New York Giants

Out: None

Doubtful: None

Questionable: WR Malik Nabers (groin), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist), LB Darius Muasau (hamstring), LB Micah McFadden (heel), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Out: None

Doubtful: DB Tykee Smith (knee)

Questionable: CB Jamel Dean (hamstring), WR Mike Evans (hamstring), NT Greg Gaines (foot), CB Troy Hill (ankle/foot), CB Zyon McCollum (hamstring), OL Tristan Wirfs (knee/foot)

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Giants injury report: Dru Phillips, Adoree’ Jackson continue to sit out

New York Giants CB Dru Phillips (calf) and CB Adoree’ Jackson (calf) are unlikely to play on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Tuesday ahead of a Week 4 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Similar to the day prior, they were limited to a walkthrough.

Before practice, head coach Brian Daboll met with reporters and revealed that cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson would again sit out with calf injuries. However, Daboll said, neither is expected to land on injured reserve (IR).

Daboll also expressed optimism that fellow cornerback Nick McCloud, who has missed the previous two games with a knee injury, would return on Thursday night.

Little else on the injury report changed.

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

Did not participate: CB Dru Phillips (calf), CB Adoree’ Jackson (calf)

Limited participant: DL Dexter Lawrence (foot), DB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Micah McFadden (back), WR Darius Slayton (thumb)

Full participant: OL Jermaine Eluemunor (thumb), OL John Michael Schmitz (neck)

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Giants projected injury report: Dru Phillips, Adoree’ Jackson sit out

The New York Giants released a projected injury report for Monday with cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson sitting out.

The New York Giants did not escape their Week 3 win in Cleveland unscathed.

They have several new names on their injury report on Monday. With the Dallas Cowboys coming to town in three days, they’ll have very little time to heal up.

“We’ll do walkthroughs, have a lot of meeting time, some extra meeting time, extra walkthroughs to get prepared for this game,” Daboll said.

Cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson both sat out Monday’s walkthrough with calf injuries.

Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (foot), linebacker Micah McFadden (back), and wide receiver Darius Slayton (thumb), who were all hurt in Sunday’s game, were projected as limited on Monday.

Defensive back Nick McCloud (knee), who was inactive on Sunday, was also limited.

Center John Michael Schmitz (neck) and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (thumb) participated fully.

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Giants’ Shane Bowen focused on cleaning up poor tackling

The New York Giants are plagued by poor tackling and it’s an issue defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is focused on cleaning up.

Through two games, the New York Giants are 0-2, scoring just an average of 12 points per game. Their offense is surely an issue but their defense is concerning as well.

The Giants are getting chewed up by the run, allowing 163 yards per game to opponents over the first two weeks. They have been lax on third downs, permitting opponents to convert on 41.7 percent of attempts, and have failed to stop either of their two fourth-down chances.

As a result, opponents have been able to sustain drives and hang onto the football. Last week in Washington, the Giants lost the time of possession 37:32 to 22:28.

“Bad tackling and penalties,” defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence said this week when asked what he felt the issue was. “We were on the field a long time. We didn’t do well tackling. We didn’t stop the run well. And the penalties on third down. We won a lot of first and second downs, but those third downs really got us.”

On Thursday, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen agreed when quizzed by reporters about the run defense.

“I think tackling. Tackling showed up. Missed some tackles, even on the scramble plays,” he said. “We had guys in opportunities to make plays on those to get off the field on third down. And tackling showed up. I think a couple were fit issues. One, we just get too nosy. We got him bottled up, we get nosy and he leaks out on us. The post safety gets a little nosy, as well, and it goes for 40 (yards). It’s a potential third and one stop that turns into 40 yards.

“Just continuing our fits. Making sure we’re flying around, running to the football. Making sure the missed tackles don’t turn into… because they’re going happen. We got to reduce them. They’re going to happen from time to time. But making sure those missed tackles end up being two to five additional yards instead of 10-plus. Just continue to work. There’s good in there. They ran the ball 35 times. So, there’s some good snaps in there. We got to eliminate the explosive runs.”

The Giants have been dealing with injuries at inside linebacker. Micah McFadden missed the opener with a groin injury and was thrust into action last week when his understudy, rookie Darius Muasau, was forced out with a knee issue.

The Giants also are in flux in the secondary. They have a rookie, Tyler Nubin, starting at support safety and the box is dealing with a lot of movable parts. When that settles down, and the inside backers get their footing, the run support should improve.

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Giants injury report: Malik Nabers limited in practice with knee injury

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers was added to the injury report and limited in practice due to a knee injury.

The New York Giants returned to the field on Thursday afternoon for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 2 game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.

Wide receiver Darius Slayton, who remains in a concussion protocol, took a step toward returning. He participated in a red non-contact jersey and barring any setbacks, is on pace to play in Sunday’s game.

The same could not be said for the other three players who missed practice on Wednesday. Wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (groin), as expected, and both cornerback Nick McCloud (knee) and linebacker Darius Muasau (knee) continued to sit out.

Olszewski is not likely to return to the field for several more weeks.

Finally, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was added to the injury report with a knee issue. He was limited.

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

Did not participate: WR Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Darius Muasau (knee)

Limited participant: WR Darius Slayton (concussion protocol), WR Malik Nabers (knee)

Full participant: LB Micah McFadden (groin)

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Giants injury report: Darius Slayton misses practice with a concussion

New York Giants WR Darius Slayton, who is in concussion protocol, was one of four players not practicing on Wednesday.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday morning in preparation for a Week 2 game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Both teams are coming off an opening-week loss and each need to immediately right the ship if they have any designs of reaching the playoffs.

After entering Week 1 with a healthy 53-man roster, the Giants now find themselves a bit banged up.

In addition to linebacker Carter Coughlin landing on injured reserve (IR), several other players also sat out or were limited during the week’s first practice.

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

Did not participate: WR Darius Slayton (concussion protocol), WR Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Darius Muasau (knee)

Limited participant: N/A

Full participant: LB Micah McFadden (groin)

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Giants made several concerning personnel decisions in Week 1

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll made several baffling personnel decisions in Week 1 that deserve scrutiny.

In front of legends celebrating the team’s 100th season, the New York Giants were utterly embarrassed on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, falling to Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings, 28-6.

The loss came after Vikings defenders literally laughed at any notion the Giants would challenge them offensively.

Things got so bad that fans waited an hour after the game — having left the stadium in the third quarter — just to heckle quarterback Daniel Jones on the way to his car.

It was a rock-bottom moment for a franchise that has had entirely too many rock-bottom moments over the past decade-plus. But Sunday’s failure began long before anyone took the field.

Entering the game, the Giants had just 51 players on their 53-man roster, leaving them shorthanded out of the gate.

“It was roster management relative to some of the guys that we released or put on the practice squad. We’ll revisit that (on Monday),” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters after the game.

Things got even worse for the Giants during pre-game warmups when wide receiver Gunner Olszewski, who was already nursing a groin injury, suffered a setback and was unable to play. That left the team with just 50 players plus their two practice squad elevations.

Knowing that Olszewski had been limited all week and was hurt, one would think Daboll had a backup plan. He didn’t.

With Olszewski out, the Giants thrust wide receiver Darius Slayton into the role of punt returner. He responded with a fumble.

Then came something even more bizarre — the snap counts.

Offensive snaps: 71
Defensive snaps: 55
Special teams snaps: 24

Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt took just four snaps through the first three quarters and finished with 16. He was targeted just once, leaving his field-stretching ability on the cutting room floor.

And how about “money backer” Isaiah Simmons? After serving as a defensive focal point and impact player all summer, he took a grand total of zero defensive snaps in the game.

Rookie linebacker Darius Muasau drew the start over Micah McFadden, who had a breakout campaign in 2023, while Cor’Dale Flott was shifted into the slot where he saw no action throughout training camp and the preseason.

Then there was Dexter Lawrence. After weeks of speculation that he would play close to 100 percent of the snaps, he took just 37 on Sunday — three more than Rakeem Nunez-Roches. Each time he left the game, the Giants were dashed.

Maybe the Giants are trying to tank. What other explanation could there be?

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