Add another pair of safeties to the Giants’ growing list of auditionees. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), the Giants will workout veteran defensive backs Will Allen and Jeron Johnson tomorrow. We learned yesterday that the team was also going to take a look at former Pro Bowl safety Donte Whitner and former undrafted free agent Shamiel Gary.
Allen, 34, is the oldest of the bunch, although the veteran did have a career year for the Steelers in 2015. The 12-year veteran started 13 games, collecting career-highs in tackles (80), sacks (four), forced fumbles (two) and passes defended (eight). Allen has only missed 17 games throughout his career, so he’d certainly add some dependability to a depleted Giants safety corps.
Johnson has bounced around a bit since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011. The five-year veteran had one of his best seasons with the Redskins in 2015, compiling a career-high 27 tackles. The 28-year-old caught on with the Chiefs this offseason, but he was ultimately released in early September.
The Giants secondary has been struggling with injuries. Safeties Nat Berhe and Darian Thompson are both battling various ailments and are unlikely to play on Monday night. PFR’s Dallas Robinson noted that cornerback Leon Hall could easily fill in, but the veteran will likely be required to play his natural position considering the injuries to cornerbacks Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Thompson has a foot problem, not a concussion.
Good call, thanks!
DB pool must be very thin; Allen has been working as an intern at a TV station in Pittsburgh.