EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants misplaced extensive receiver Collin Johnson for the season Wednesday on the identical day that veteran Sterling Shepard returned to the apply area.
Johnson tore his Achilles tendon throughout Wednesday’s apply, per the staff. The huge receiver (6-foot-6, 220 kilos) out of the University of Texas had been receiving first-team reps in latest weeks at apply with Kadarius Toney and Shepard amongst these on the sideline.
Coach Brian Daboll had famous earlier within the week that Johnson and fellow extensive receiver David Sills have been making a robust impression. Johnson began Sunday’s preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals and had three receptions for 41 yards; Sills had 5 catches for 56 yards, with a lot of the injury coming with the first-string offense.
“Collin Johnson, David Sills, they’ve stepped their game up,” Daboll mentioned. “And they’re right in the mix, not just to make a team but to play.”
The Giants’ opener is in 18 days in Tennessee. Toney (proper leg), C.J. Board (ribs) and Darius Slayton are additionally coping with minor accidents.
Shepard, in the meantime, was making his means again from a torn Achilles suffered final December. He returned to apply for the primary time Wednesday for the reason that damage.
“It felt great, man,” mentioned Shepard, who snuck in some reps throughout stay drills and even caught a 20-yard go from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor. “Just being back on the field, it’s a blessing. Especially when you go through an injury like that and you’ve been on the sidelines for so long watching those guys get after it. You have to take every day and cherish them because you never know when you’re going to have to sit out that long.”
It had been eight months and 5 days since Shepard tore his Achilles. He is the longest-tenured Giant and has 349 catches for 3,884 yards and 21 touchdowns in his profession, all in New York.
Shepard’s return made it seem as if the Giants have been truly getting more healthy on the place. Toney, Board and Slayton participated within the early parts of Wednesday’s apply.
But Toney was seen grabbing behind his leg in the course of the exercise, and Johnson and Marcus Kemp (hamstring) suffered vital accidents. Both Johnson and Kemp landed on injured reserve later within the day.
The Giants claimed extensive receivers Bailey Gaither and Jaylon Moore on Wednesday to fill the voids. They reduce tight finish Jordan Akins to make room on the roster.
Johnson, 24, has 29 catches for 377 yards in 26 profession video games with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Giants. He made his mark with the Giants final yr as a blocker.
But this summer season it appeared he had taken his recreation to the following degree. He was making performs constantly all through coaching camp, incomes him the belief of beginning quarterback Daniel Jones and a few first-team reps.
Johnson even had 10 catches for 123 receiving yards within the first two preseason video games this season. With Toney nonetheless banged up and Shepard getting back from a severe damage, it regarded potential that Johnson might have began — or at the very least performed a considerable function — Week 1 towards the Tennessee Titans. Instead his season got here to a untimely finish.