The New York Giants will officially hold their first training camp practice on Wednesday, but they got an early start on their transaction agenda by placing six players on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Tuesday. Let’s run through the most significant injury situations the Giants will need to watch over the next several weeks.
New York Giants Injury Update
The Giants Have an Injured WR Room
The Giants infamously added a bevy of wide receivers this offseason, and they may need them given their injury situation. Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson — both recovering from torn ACLs — went on the PUP list Tuesday. Meanwhile, Jamison Crowder was placed on the non-football injury list as he works his way back from a calf issue.
Shepard, who re-signed with New York this offseason, tore his ACL in Week 3 last season. He was cleared to run routes during the Giants’ OTAs. Although he didn’t participate in any contact drills, Shepard’s OTA semi-availability could indicate he might be able to leave the PUP list sooner rather than later.
Robinson didn’t suffer his ACL tear until November, so he’s a little further behind Shepard in his recovery. Both players are eligible to come off the PUP list at any time. If they’re still on the list come Week 1, they’ll be required to miss at least four games.
More Giants PUPdates
In addition to Shepard and Robinson, the Giants also placed offensive lineman Marcus McKethan, cornerback Aaron Robinson, and defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and D.J. Davidson on the PUP list.
McKethan was New York’s fifth-round pick in 2022 and reportedly impressed the club’s coaching staff before going down with an ACL injury during training camp. He can play both guard and tackle, and that flexibility may allow him to stick on the Giants’ roster as a reserve lineman.
Aaron Robinson also offers malleability, as he can play outside corner and in the slot. A third-round pick by New York’s previous regime in 2021, Robinson has appeared in just nine games over two seasons. He’s coming back after tearing his ACL in October.
A’Shawn Robinson was New York’s most significant free agent addition to their defensive line, and he projects as a starter alongside Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams when healthy. Robinson tore his meniscus with the Rams in November and missed the final season games of the season, but he’s expected to be ready for the 2023 campaign.
Jarrad Davis’ Injury Created a Linebacker Hole
Jarrad Davis was penciled in as a Giants starting linebacker alongside free agent addition Bobby Okereke, but the veteran defender went down with a knee injury in OTAs that will prematurely end his season.
New York has already placed Davis on injured reserve. Because he was placed on IR before the Giants set their initial roster, he’s ineligible to be activated this season. New York could eventually work out an injury settlement to release Davis from IR, but he’s unlikely to suit up for the Giants in 2023.
Davis’ injury created a vacancy at middle linebacker. For now, Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers — the Giants’ fifth and sixth-round picks in 2022, respectively — are set to compete for a starting job. But New York could opt to bring in a free agent after losing Davis, with options like Myles Jack still available on the open market.