Collin Johnson’s breakout Giants camp was derailed Wednesday afternoon when the huge receiver was carted off the sector after struggling a season-ending torn Achilles.
Whereas taking first-team reps, which the 24-year-old had performed all through a formidable coaching camp, Johnson collapsed following a non-contact play. Trainers instantly came visiting to are likely to the Texas product, taking off his proper cleat as his Giants teammates’ reactions indicated the severity of the damage.
The accidents proceed to pile up for the Giants, however the lack of Johnson for the season is much more disappointing given how he has impressed this coaching camp.
Johnson, who was chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jaguars earlier than they waived him final August, had been closing in on a job inside the Giants offense. He caught seven passes for a team-high 82 yards within the preseason opener in opposition to the Patriots earlier than a three-catch efficiency in opposition to the Bengals on Sunday.
“The fellows which were on the market and producing, Collin Johnson, David Sills, they’ve stepped their recreation up,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll mentioned earlier this week. “They usually’re proper within the combine, not simply to make a staff however to play.”
In 12 video games with the Giants final season (one begin), Johnson had 11 catches for 105 yards. He has 26 receptions for 377 yards with two touchdowns in 26 profession NFL video games.
“I discovered rather a lot,” Johnson mentioned final week. “Not every little thing goes your method. However on the finish of the day, I really feel like lots of people attempt to put intervals in your life when it’s imagined to be a comma. So once I acquired minimize from the Jags, I by no means had like a ‘woe is me’ mentality, it was only a comma in my life, and there’s much more that’s being written now.
“I really feel like I’m simply getting began and gonna proceed to work arduous.”
With out Johnson, the remaining inner competitors for the ultimate receiver spots on the roster shall be between David Sills, Alex Bachman and Richie James. Bachman, who led the Giants with 11 receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the Bengals, might have had an damage scare of his personal throughout 1-on-1 drills in opposition to cornerbacks on Wednesday. He went down and limped a bit earlier than grabbing behind his foot.
Moreover, the Giants claimed off waivers two huge receivers, who had been just lately let go by the Ravens, to restock the place in wake of Johnson’s damage: Jaylon Moore and Bailey Collect. Neither participant has appeared in an NFL regular-season recreation.
The Giants additionally claimed CB Harrison Hand off waivers from the Vikings. Hand performed in 23 video games (one begin) the previous two seasons. To make room on the roster, Johnson and WR Marcus Kemp had been placed on injured reserve and veteran TE Jordan Akins was minimize.
Almost three seasons faraway from his time with the Jets, defensive sort out Leonard Williams mentioned he views the Giants’ crosstown rivals as simply one other NFL staff.
“I have a look at it the identical as each joint apply, ?” Williams mentioned forward of the second annual Military Flag Soccer Recreation between the Jets and Giants at MetLife Stadium on Thursday. “I do know Quinnen [Williams] fairly nicely, so I’m excited to see him as a buddy. Aside from that, it’s been so a few years since I’ve been there that I don’t actually see it the identical method any extra.”
TE Tanner Hudson, launched Tuesday by the 49ers, labored out for the Giants on Wednesday morning and is predicted to signal. Hudson, 27, has appeared in 22 video games the previous three years for the Buccaneers and 49ers, catching 5 passes for 67 yards.
— Extra reporting by Paul Schwartz
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