Giants Place LB Jarrad Davis On IR
The knee surgery Jarrad Davis underwent will prevent him from playing for the Giants this season. The team placed the veteran linebacker on IR on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
Davis missed minicamp due to an unspecified knee injury and underwent surgery to repair the problem. Players have been able to return from IR for over a decade now, but they must be carried over to the 53-man roster in order to do so. Davis landing on IR more than a month before rosters are set removes him from that equation.
An injury settlement that removes Davis from the Giants’ IR list would be the only way the former first-round pick can play in 2023. He would do so for another team in this scenario. Of course, it is not known if Davis will be healthy enough to play this year. It does not look like he will be, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter noting the injury Davis sustained at OTAs is season-ending (Twitter link). Davis re-signed with the team on a one-year deal worth $1.18MM. None of the money is guaranteed.
The Giants signed Davis off the Lions’ practice squad in December, and the Florida alum started both Big Blue’s playoff games at inside linebacker. Although New York added Bobby Okereke on a $10MM-per-year deal, Davis was the favorite to start alongside him. The team will need to look in another direction. It already started doing so recently, working out Joe Giles-Harris and Kyahva Tezino.
Davis did not work out with the Lions, being benched late in his initial stint with the team. But the former No. 21 overall pick has made 51 career starts. His absence will leave an experience void on the Giants’ defensive second level. For the time being, second-year ILBs Darrian Beavers and Micah McFadden will vie for the job alongside Okereke. Beavers, a sixth-round pick, missed all of his rookie year with an ACL tear. Chosen in Round 5 last year, McFadden started seven games as a rookie.
Giants LB Jarrad Davis Undergoes Surgery, Facing Long-Term Absence
The Giants authorized this offseason’s second-most lucrative linebacker contract, giving Bobby Okereke a $10MM-per-year deal. However, one of the team’s holdovers had been leading the competition to join the ex-Colt as a starter.
But Jarrad Davis‘ path back to the Giants’ starting lineup has encountered a road block. Davis underwent surgery recently and is believed to be facing a long-term absence, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports. The operation was on Davis’ knee, the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz notes. The Giants re-signed Davis, 28, in March but saw him miss minicamp due to this unspecified injury.
Davis started just one regular-season game for the Giants last season, but the ex-Lions first-rounder played a first-string role in both Big Blue playoff tilts. During Giants OTAs, Davis was running with Okereke on Don Mardindale‘s first unit. The former Colts starter could now be an option at middle linebacker, where Davis was stationed.
Should this knee injury threaten Davis’ regular-season availability, the Giants will be prepared to hold a competition between Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers. A 2022 fifth-round pick, McFadden started seven games for an embattled Giants linebacking corps last season. The Giants chose Beavers in last year’s sixth round, but he did not play as a rookie due to a torn ACL sustained during the team’s second preseason game. Beavers, whom Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan notes the team remains high on, did not practice in full at minicamp but did side-field work (Twitter link).
If this is a season-threatening injury, it obviously deals a blow to Davis’ career. The Florida alum received extensive playing time during his first go-round in Detroit but did not receive strong reviews for his work. The Lions benched Davis during his 2020 contract year, and while he did receive $5.5MM from the Jets in 2021, he settled for $1.2MM from the Lions last year. The Lions deemed Davis a practice squad-level player during his second stint, leading to the Giants poaching him off that Detroit unit in December. Davis re-signed with the Giants for the league minimum (one year, $1.1MM). His $75K roster bonus will only be due if he makes the team’s 53-man roster.
It would make for a natural transition for the Giants to have one of their recent Day 3 picks win this competition. Both Beavers and McFadden were drafted by the team’s current regime, and each makes low-end money that would complement Okereke’s four-year, $40MM deal. The Giants hosted former Falcons mainstay Deion Jones earlier this offseason, doing so after signing Okereke. Jones could potentially be an option, depending on the severity of Davis’ injury. For now, two second-year players have clearer paths to a regular role.
ILB Competition On Tap For Giants
The Giants made a big move this offseason to address the inside linebacker position in free agency, signing former Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke. Okereke will slot in as a sure starter in New York’s lineup, but who will the Giants decide on as the starter lining up next to Okereke?
In the past two years, New York has seen their options dwindle with an ACL tear leading to the eventual release of Blake Martinez and the benching and waiving of Tae Crowder. Okereke provides a strong presence on the inside of the linebacking corps, but the team still has questions next to him. Darrian Beavers, Jarrad Davis, and Micah McFadden are the three names that have been mentioned as candidates to start next to Okereke.
McFadden is typically the third name thrown into the conversation behind Beavers and Davis. This is a result of McFadden being seemingly cemented as Okereke’s backup. McFadden started next to Okereke while Beavers and Davis were dealing with injury this spring, but considering he plays the same position as Okereke, he’s not a favorite to share the field with him moving forward. This appears to be a battle mainly between Beavers and Davis.
Davis joined the team extremely late into the season last year. A former first-round pick, Davis had been starting less and less as his career progressed. Despite becoming a Giant with two weeks left in the regular season, Davis started in Week 18 before starting two playoff games for New York, an impressive feat with such a small amount of time in the building. With Beavers dealing with injury, Davis started early in the spring, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, but found himself on the sideline with an undisclosed injury during minicamp.
Beavers missed his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL in Week 2 of the preseason last year. The Giants are reportedly extremely high on the 2022 sixth-round pick, whom they are hoping to have back by training camp. Once he does return, Beavers will provide immediate competition for Davis. During a Mailbag Q&A session, Duggan asserted his belief that Beavers will claim the starting job next to Okereke during training camp.
So, there you have it. Beavers, the young, unproven player coming off a major injury, is currently the expected favorite to start. Davis is slotted into the position for now, if healthy, and should have a chance to make a case to regain his status as a starter in training camp. If both are unavailable, McFadden can start in their place, though the team prefers that he back up Okereke instead of start next to him.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/8/23
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: FB Khari Blasingame (two-year deal)
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: G Ross Pierschbacher
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Jaguars): QB E.J. Perry
New York Giants
- Re-signed: LB Jarrad Davis
A veteran linebacker formerly with the Lions, Davis joined the Giants very late in the season last year, only starting one regular season game for New York. Davis did go on to start both postseason games for the Giants, doing impressive work for a player with such little time to learn a team’s defense. The 28-year-old had been starting less and less as his career progressed in Detroit, so a renewed opportunity to win a starting position should help to former first-round pick to get back on track.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/22
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Pharoh Cooper, DL Manny Jones
- Placed on IR: S Budda Baker (story), DT Trysten Hill
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return: WR Jared Bernhardt
- Placed on IR: OL Chuma Edoga
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: WR Tylan Wallace
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to season-ending IR: WR Quintez Cephus
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: CB Darrell Baker Jr.
- Placed on IR: CB Isaiah Rodgers Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: DT Jeremiah Ledbetter
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: DE Isaac Rochell, LB Harvey Langi
- Placed on IR: DE Chandler Jones, LB Denzel Perryman (story)
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Cardinals): OL Wyatt Davis
- Signed off Lions’ practice squad: LB Jarrad Davis
- Placed on IR: OL Shane Lemieux
- Waived: TE Chris Myarick
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Designated for return: CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return: CB Isaiah Dunn
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: RB Jonathan Ward
Washington Commanders
- Designated for return: CB Tariq Castro-Fields, TE Armani Rogers
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: G Will Hernandez
- Promoted: CB Nate Hairston, DL Manny Jones
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: LB Brandon Smith
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: TE Jake Tonges, WR Nsimba Webster
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: C Brock Hoffman
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB Devine Ozigbo, QB Jarrett Guarantano
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: RB Craig Reynolds
- Promoted: LB Jarrad Davis, QB Joshua Dobbs
- Waived: WR Tom Kennedy
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated off IR: TE Donald Parham
- Promoted: DL Christopher Hinton, S Raheem Layne
- Waived: WR Jason Moore
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed to active roster: RB Malcolm Brown
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Braylon Sanders
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: WR Kirk Merritt
- Waived: Nephi Sewell
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: OL Ben Bredeson
- Placed on IR: OL Joshua Ezeudu
- Promoted: LB Landon Collins, QB Davis Webb
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Promoted: S Will Parks, DL Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: LB Christian Elliss, P Brett Kern
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: LB J.J. Russell, WR Deven Thompkins
Washington Commanders
- Promoted: G Wes Martin
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/22
Here are the minor moves around the league in advance of the Week 14 slate of games:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Titans’ practice squad: QB Logan Woodside
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: QB Anthony Brown, S Ar’Darius Washington
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: WR John Brown
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from NFI list: DL Henry Anderson
- Waived: CB Tae Hayes
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: S Mike Brown, LB Tae Davis
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: T Aviante Collins
- Placed on IR: CB Anthony Brown (story)
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: T Quinn Bailey
- Elevated: G Netane Muti, LB Harvey Langi
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: OL Ross Pierschbacher
- Elevated: LB Jarrad Davis, CB Jarren Williams
- Placed on IR: CB Chase Lucas
Houston Texans
- Elevated: WR Jalen Camp, QB Jeff Driskel
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: OLB K’Lavon Chaisson
- Elevated: LB Ty Summers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: C Hroniss Grasu
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: CB Kemon Hall
- Elevated: DL Christopher Hinton, S Raheem Layne
- Placed on IR: TE Richard Rodgers
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: WR Freddie Swain
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: S Myles Dorn, CB Tay Gowan
New York Giants
- Elevated: DT Ryder Anderson, CB Zyon Gilbert
New York Jets
- Elevated: LB Marcell Harris
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LB Christian Elliss
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: RB Tevin Coleman, S Dontae Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from PUP list: LB Jon Rhattigan
- Elevated: RB Godwin Igwebuike, WR Laquon Treadwell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: LB K.J. Britt
- Elevated: WR Deven Thompkins, S Nolan Turner
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: WR Chris Conley, LB Jack Gibbens, CB Greg Mabin
- Activated from IR: WR Racey McMath, CB Josh Thompson
- Elevated: RB Julius Chestnut, CB Davontae Harris
- Placed on IR: LB David Long
- Released: DL Larrell Murchison, OL Jordan Roos
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/22
Here are the minor roster moves in anticipation for Sunday’s slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: S Charles Washington
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Rashaad Coward
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Gerri Green, CB Harrison Hand
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: T Quinn Bailey, DE Jonathan Harris
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/PUP: FB Jason Cabinda
- Signed to active roster: TE Shane Zylstra
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Stanley Berryhill, LB Jarrad Davis
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: K Ramiz Ahmed, LB Ladarius Hamilton
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted from practice squad: S Ugochukwu Amadi
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Kyle Peko
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: RB Larry Rountree
- Promoted from practice squad: K Cameron Dicker, T Foster Sarell
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: S Verone McKinley III
- Promoted from practice squad: T Kion Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Nick Muse
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: G Josh Andrews
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Jordan Howard, CB Bryce Thompson
New York Giants
- Activated of reserve/PUP: T Matt Peart
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Lawrence Cager, DL Henry Mondeaux
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: DT T.Y. McGill
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Vi Jones
- Placed on IR: FB/OLB Cullen Gillaspia
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Ulysees Gilbert, CB Ryan Smith
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: DL Larrell Murchison, WR C.J. Board
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Chicago Bears
Claimed:
- DB Josh Blackwell (from Eagles), DL Kingsley Jonathan (from Bills), OL Alex Leatherwood (from Raiders), DL Armon Watts (from Vikings), LB Sterling Weatherford (from Colts), TE Trevon Wesco (from Jets) (story)
Released:
- LB Joe Thomas
Waived:
- LB Caleb Johnson, CB Duke Shelley, G Zachary Thomas, DT Khyiris Tonga
Placed on IR:
- WR Tajae Sharpe
Signed to practice squad:
- TE Chase Allen, C Dieter Eiselen, RB Darrynton Evans, CB Thomas Graham Jr., DL Sam Kamara, QB Nathan Peterman
Detroit Lions
Claimed:
- DT Benito Jones (from Bills)
Waived:
Released from IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Maurice Alexander, LB Jarrad Davis, TE Derrick Deese, T Obinna Eze, TE Garrett Griffin, DL Bruce Hector, LB James Houston, RB Justin Jackson, WR Tom Kennedy, CB A.J. Parker, LB Anthony Pittman, T Dan Skipper, CB Saivion Smith
Green Bay Packers
Signed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- QB Danny Etling, WR Travis Fulgham, CB Rico Gafford, RB Tyler Goodson, LB La’Darius Hamilton, DL Jack Heflin, T Caleb Jones, LB Kobe Jones, DL Chris Slayton, RB Patrick Taylor, CB Kiondre Thomas, LB Ray Wilborn, WR Juwann Winfree
Minnesota Vikings
Waived:
Lions Finalize Initial 53-Man Roster
Detroit got an early start on reducing its roster size Monday, but the team made the final moves toward 53 players Tuesday. Here are the moves from today that got the Lions there:
Released:
- QB Tim Boyle
- LB Jarrad Davis (story)
- TE Devin Funchess
- DL Bruce Hector
- RB Justin Jackson
- T Kendall Lamm
- T Dan Skipper
Waived:
- WR Maurice Alexander
- CB Cedric Boswell
- TE Derrick Deese
- T Obinna Eze
- CB Mark Gilbert
- LB James Houston
- RB Godwin Igwebuike
- WR Tom Kennedy
- CB AJ Parker
- K Riley Patterson
- T Darrin Paulo
- WR Kalil Pimpleton
- LB Anthony Pittman
- CB Saivion Smith
Waived/injured:
- DL Eric Banks
- WR Trinity Benson
- DL Jashon Cornell
- G Kevin Jarvis
- S C.J. Moore
Placed on reserve/physically unable to perform:
- CB Jerry Jacobs
Houston was the only member of the Lions’ 2022 rookie class that failed to make the initial 53-man roster. The young linebacker should have a good chance to land on the team’s 16-man practice squad Wednesday, if he can clear waivers. On the other hand, undrafted defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor found his way onto the roster after a disruptive preseason. Another undrafted rookie, running back Greg Bell, didn’t make the roster, but will remain with the team on Detroit’s injured reserve.
There were a number of surprising, but necessary, cuts today. Igwebuike had a decent chance to make the roster due to his experience and ability returning kicks. Kennedy led the team in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns during the preseason. His lack of effective use on special teams likely lost him his spot on the final roster. Parker started much of last year at nickel for the Lions. Unfortunately he was expendable after the offseason additions of veteran JuJu Hughes and rookie Chase Lucas.
The winner of the kicking battle has been crowned as Austin Seibert made the final roster over Patterson. Patterson showed plenty of ability during the last couple of weeks and it would be no surprise if he was to be claimed by another team off waivers by tomorrow.
Finally, it appears the backup quarterback battle was won by David Blough, who outperformed Boyle in preseason. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Detroit peruse the mass of recently waived players for a new quarterback. They have the second-highest priority on the waiver wire and should have their pick of the litter if they think they can improve on Blough.