Giants’ LB T.J. Brunson, DB Joshua Kalu Suffer Major Injuries
Two Giants sustained major injuries during last night’s preseason game against the Jets. As Paul Schwartz of the New York Post was among those to report, linebacker T.J. Brunson suffered a torn ACL, which will bring an end to his season (Twitter link). Safety Joshua Kalu suffered a torn pectoral muscle, and his season could be over as well.
Brunson, a 2020 seventh-rounder, played in five games for Big Blue last season, though all but two of his 55 snaps came on special teams. If he had stayed healthy and made the team, he probably would have spent the majority of his time on the Giants’ third unit again, but Jordan Raanan says he was doing some good things in his pursuit of a roster spot (Twitter link). Given New York’s general lack of LB depth, Brunson might have had a shot to get some burn on the defensive side of the ball.
Raanan suggested that Kalu, a 2018 UDFA who got into 28 games with the Titans over the course of the past three years, also had a good chance of earning a job. Like Brunson, Kalu has spent most of his time as a pro as a special teamer, but he did appear in a career-best 91 defensive snaps for Tennessee in 2020. He has 26 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass defensed in his career.
In other Giants news, head coach Joe Judge said his club is likely to add an offensive lineman or two this week (via Dan Duggan of The Athletic on Twitter). The team lost 2021 signees Joe Looney and Zach Fulton to retirement, and even though Ted Larsen was signed on Friday, New York is still a little thin up front.
Giants Sign OL Ted Larsen
Ted Larsen will receive an opportunity to join a new team and potentially play an 11th season. Following a Friday workout, the Giants signed the veteran offensive lineman.
Larsen joins the Giants after making a late-season cameo with the Buccaneers. The longtime guard’s second Tampa Bay stint did not involve similar responsibilities, with the Bucs using him as a depth piece rather than a starter, but he collected a Super Bowl ring despite not playing in the regular season. Larsen was on Tampa Bay’s active roster during the playoffs and logged 38 offensive snaps in the team’s wild-card win in Washington.
Prior to that second Tampa Bay stay, Larsen played spent time in Miami and Chicago. The Dolphins used Larsen as a regular guard starter from 2017-18, though they cut him during their 2019 rebuilding project. The former Patriots sixth-round pick did not stick in New England but has made 88 starts with the Bucs, Dolphins, Cardinals and Bears. While Larsen has been a starting center, most of his NFL experience has come at guard.
The Giants survived an early-camp scare, when starter Shane Lemieux managed to return to practice days after being carted off. Lemieux and Will Hernandez are in position to be Big Blue’s guard starters. Larsen, who is now 34, would profile as insurance.
In other Giants roster moves Friday, the team waived running back Mike Weber and defensive back Jordyn Peters.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/21
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB James Conner, TE Darrell Daniels, DL Leki Fotu, DB Charles Washington; the four were deemed high-risk close contacts
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to IR: RB Michael Warren
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Dominique Martin
- Waived/injured: LB Randy Ramsey
Indianapolis Colts
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Gary Jennings
New Orleans Saints
- Claimed (from Giants): DL R.J. McIntosh
- Reverted to IR: WR Jalen McCleskey
New York Jets
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DB Brendon White
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Eddie Vanderdoes
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: WR Darece Roberson
- Waived: CB Bryan Mills
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Reggie Floyd
- Waived: WR Kalija Lipscomb
- Waived/injured: OL Adam Coon
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/11/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Javon Leake
- Waived: RB Michael Warren
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Bradley Roby
- Waived: WR Damon Hazelton
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DL Ethan Westbrooks
- Waived: DB Shaun Crawford
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed off waivers from Cardinals: OT Ryan Pope
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Willie Henry, DT Elijah Qualls
- Waived: DL R.J. McIntosh, LB Cale Garrett, WR Derrick Dillon
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Lakiem Williams
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Gabe Holmes
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/10/21
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Demetrius Harris, DL Margus Hunt, DL Josh Mauro
- Waived: TE Cary Angeline, S Jamal Carter, OT Ryan Pope, CB Donald Rutledge
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from NFI list: DE Jerry Hughes
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Marquel Lee
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: FB Mikey Daniel
Chicago Bears
- Activated from NFI list: S Eddie Jackson
Houston Texans
- Claimed (from Lions): C Drake Jackson
- Signed: RB Darius Jackson
- Waived: LS Mitchell Fraboni
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: QB Case Cookus
- Waived: WR Trey Quinn
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed (from Falcons): CB Tyler Hall
- Waived: DB Jovan Grant, K Brandon Wright
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Kellen Mond
New England Patriots
- Signed: S Malik Gant
- Waived: RB Tyler Gaffney
New York Giants
- Re-signed: LB Ryan Anderson
- Waived: TE Tommy Stevens
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed (from Panthers): WR Marken Michel
- Waived/injured: WR Michael Walker
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: G Anthony Coyle
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Shilique Calhoun, CB Alexander Myres
- Waived: CB Mark Fields, OT Isaiah Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Kukayus McNeil, WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams
- Waived: TE Michael Jacobson, WR Darece Roberson
Tennessee Titans
- Waived/injured: TE Donnie Ernsberger
Giants Cut Ryan Anderson
Ryan Anderson won’t be playing for the Giants in 2021 after all. The outside linebacker signed with New York in the second wave of free agency, but was cut on Monday, the team announced.
Anderson signed a one-year deal worth $1.125MM, only slightly above the $990K minimum for a player with his service time, back in March. The 49th overall pick of Washington back in 2017, Anderson never really lived up to his draft status. The Alabama product was mostly a reserve during his four years in Washington, but he did make a big impact in 2019.
That season he appeared in all 16 games with four starts, finishing with 44 tackles, four sacks, and five forced fumbles. In 2020, he played in only nine games and had just nine total tackles. Anderson “was expected to compete for a role on the edge,” previously, Dan Duggan of The Athletic tweets, while noting that he “missed the first two weeks of camp with a back injury.”
When he gets healthy he should be able to latch on elsewhere. Anderson will turn 27 later this week.
Giants Remove Saquon Barkley From PUP List
Saquon Barkley‘s long path back toward his starring role in the Giants’ offense featured a key step Monday. The fourth-year running back is now off the Giants’ PUP list, returning to practice for the first time since his September 2020 knee injury.
The Giants have taken it slow with Barkley this year, and clarity from either side in this rehab process has been rare. But this marks an important designation. Barkley will not begin the season on the PUP list, which would have shelved him for six games.
Monday’s status change means the Pro Bowler will be eligible to suit up in Week 1, though it is uncertain if he will. Barkley again declined to confirm he will be in uniform when the Giants begin their regular season, staying on message.
Joe Judge said Barkley will be eased into practice action, indicating a return to 11-on-11 or even 7-on-7 work will not happen just yet. The second-year HC has said the team is taking a long-lens view at Barkley’s return from ACL and MCL tears. Barkley suffered the injury Sept. 18 but did not undergo surgery until Oct. 29. While many players have been full-go quicker in their respective returns from ACL tears, the Giants have stayed patient here.
The team has Devontae Booker in place as its top Barkley insurance option, and the former Broncos and Raiders back likely will see more time early in the season — as the Giants gradually reintegrate their starter. The team also has Corey Clement and the recently re-signed Alfred Morris on its roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/21
Here are the latest minor moves from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on IR: DT Xavier Williams
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived/injured: DT Deadrin Senat
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DE Kendall Donnerson, DB LaDarius Wiley
- Waived: OL David Moore
- Waived/injured: DE Austin Larkin
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Gage Cervenka
Denver Broncos
- Claimed (from Ravens): LB Barrington Wade
- Signed: DT Lorenzo Neal
- Released: S Tedric Thompson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Graham Adomitis
- Waived/injured: WR Gary Jennings
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed (from Cardinals): CB Lorenzo Burns
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: OL Bryan Witzmann
- Placed on reserve/retired list: TE Nick Keizer
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DT Chris Okoye, CB K.J. Sails
New England Patriots
- Re-Signed: LB Cassh Maluia
- Placed on IR: TE Dalton Keene
New York Giants
- Claimed (from Jets): WR Matt Cole
- Signed: DB Chris Johnson
- Waived: WR Andy Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Pete Guerriero
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on active/PUP list: S Jaquiski Tartt
Washington Football Team
- Waived: OL Cole Boozer
Giants’ Zach Fulton Retires From NFL
Another day, another Giants retirement. Offensive lineman Zach Fulton has decided to step away from the game, as Tom Rock of Newsday tweets. 
Fulton joins veteran linebacker Todd Davis and fellow offensive lineman Joe Looney as recent Giants retirees. Fulton hooked on with the Giants in late March, shortly after he was cut by the Texans. He started in at least 13 games across his three Texans seasons. And, this past year, he was first-string for all 16.
Fulton didn’t set the world on fire in Houston, but he profiled as a worthwhile and experienced hand for the Giants’ offensive line. Last year, Pro Football Focus had him tied as the No. 42 guard in the NFL — good enough for a starter. And, in 2019, PFF ranked him as one of the best pass-blocking guards in the league, though his weak run-blocking marks brought down his overall score.
Fulton leaves the game after seven seasons and 107 appearances (including 90 starts). Not bad for a former sixth-round pick. Meanwhile, his retirement also raises questions about the nature of the Giants’ training camp practices. However, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears that Fulton, like Looney, simply felt that his body could no longer withstand the rigors of football.
Giants TE Levine Toilolo Tears Achilles
The Giants will be down one of their veteran tight ends for the season. Levine Toilolo was carted off a Giants practice field Wednesday, and the team subsequently announced he suffered a torn Achilles.
This was set to be Toilolo’s second season with the Giants. While the Giants signed Kyle Rudolph to pair with Evan Engram, Toilolo was in place as the team’s top blocking tight end.
Toilolo agreed to a pay cut to stay in New York this offseason, reducing his 2021 salary from $2.95MM to $1.35MM. This represents a tough break for the ninth-year veteran. Toilolo, who turned 30 last week, played in all 16 Giants games last season. One year remains on Toilolo’s deal.
Beginning his career with five seasons in Atlanta, Toilolo succeeded Tony Gonzalez as the Falcons’ starting tight end. The former fourth-round pick was part of Atlanta’s Super Bowl LI-bound team and, after a 2018 stopover in Detroit, later rejoined Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. Toilolo suited up for a second Super Bowl during his lone 49ers season.
New York does have some additional bodies behind Engram and Rudolph. Kaden Smith, who was also part of the 2019 49ers, remains on Big Blue’s roster. Fifth-year vet Cole Hikutini also resides on Big Blue’s roster.