2 min read • August 14, 2021
Posted in
New York Giants
QB Daniel Jones -
The former Duke product missed Week 13 and 15 with a hamstring injury and when he returned Week 14 he was clearly not fully fit. Jones ended up missing another game after the initial return, and with him being a mobile QB, the hamstring injury hampered him more than it would a stand up pocket passer. The injury should not hold him back in 2021 and his rushing ability should improve in the upcoming season.
RB Saquon Barkley -
The stud RB tore his ACL and MCL Week 2 in a horrid week that saw 7 ACL tears league-wide. Barkley also had meniscus surgery and started training camp on PUP this offseason, leading some to have concerns about his readiness. We have posted and written about Barkley extensively, and while we believe he is likely to have a delayed start to the 2021 season, should round into form by the second half of the year. Despite his hard work, the reality is 2022 will be his bounce back year. Hopefully he can avoid compensation muscle injuries as he tries to return.
WR Kenny Golladay -
The former Detroit Lion suffered a hamstring injury in practice on the Wednesday before Week 1 and missed the first two weeks of the season. After returning, Golladay suffered a hip flexor strain and while recovering suffered a setback that kept him out for the remainder of the season. He has suffered another hamstring injury in training camp this year that will have him out several weeks. Golladay will be ready by Week 1 but this does cut into key time to gel with his new QB and offense. He has the size and tools to become Daniel Jones’ favorite target, but with less time in camp their connection may have to develop through the course of the season.
WR Sterling Shepard -
The longtime Giant suffered a turf toe injury that kept him on IR for four weeks. He returned and played well as a safe option for Daniel Jones, hauling in 66 passes for 656 yards and three touchdowns as the Giant’s second leading wideout. Luckily the toe did not require surgery and should be good for 2021.
TE Kyle Rudolph -
The new free agent signing missed the final 4 games of the season with a foot injury which he suffered in Week 13 and was placed on IR. Rudolph finished 2020 with 28 catches, 334 yards and a score. During the standard physical when signing for Giants, they discovered issues with said foot which required surgery, which has led to a PUP stay to start camp. This injury was likely a Jones fracture but this situation points out the importance of offseason physicals, as the discovery gave Rudolph time to address the injury before the season began. He should be healthy for Week 1 but will not have had time to get comfortable with his new team. Evan Engram will retain the starting role, but Rudolph could carve out more of a role in 2TE or goal line looks as the season goes on.
CB Adoree Jackson -
Jackson missed the first 11 games with a bothersome knee injury that dragged out throughout the entire season. The CB practiced in camp but popped up on the report before Week 1, ruled out and was subsequently put on IR. Jackson wasn't activated till Nov 11 and didn't play till Week 15, five games after he was first activated. Now with the Giants after disappointing 2020, the specifics of the knee injury were never released but he did pass a physical and has been active in training camp.
S Xavier McKinney -
The rookie from Alabama suffered a fracture in his left foot during the summer and had surgery in August, was placed on IR and missed the first 10 games of the season. The team eased him into action but McKinney played over 60% of the defensive snaps in the final three games. In just six games, he managed 25 tackles and should be an important part of this secondary moving forward. Expect his foot injury to be a non-issue going forward and is poised for a healthy start of the season.
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