Giants' Week 7 Opponent Releases First-Round Linebacker

Come inside your New York Giants with our Rumor & Roster Tracker ... news, injury updates and the latest buzz!

OCT 9 – WHITE OUT – For all of the talent Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has accumulated, the spine of his team’s defense continues to struggle, and they can’t seem to get the linebacker position right.

Those woes continued on Tuesday when Philadelphia released 2019 first-round pick and recent free-agent signing, linebacker Devin White.

White’s athleticism provided the unit with some upside, but he had not proven enough to see the field and seemingly grew frustrated with his role (or lack thereof).

Now, he returns to the open market, continuing his slide from one of the game’s ascending linebackers.

Regarding the New York Giants, who play host to the Eagles in Week 7, it’s one less player to prepare for. Despite the unit’s struggles, Philadelphia seems poised to let linebackers Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun work out their inconsistencies through the brute force of playing time, obviously without the potential to be replaced by White.

OCT 8 – HARDLY KNEW YE – Shortly after Week 1, the New York Giants signed guard Cade Mays to the practice squad as depth for the interior offensive line. To that point, the unit had barely played together, and the summer saw injuries to seemingly every lineman to some extent.

However, the Giants offensive line quickly came together, and no starter has missed a snap through five weeks. Whatever path to a roster spot Mays had quickly dissipated.

On Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers signed Mays off the Giants practice squad, per Art Stapleton .

Mays had spent the first two years of his career in Carolina after being drafted by the Panthers in the sixth round in 2022.

OCT 7 – HERNANDEZ GOES DOWN – The name Will Hernandez is enough to send shivers down the spine of some New York Giants fans, a reminder of the Dave Gettleman administration and offensive lines of years past.

But Hernandez, a guard, has been reborn during his tenure with the Arizona Cardinals. He immediately stepped up his game with the change of scenery.

In 2024, that had been taken to a new level. His September laid the groundwork for what looked to be the best season of his seven-year career.

However, Hernandez suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s 24-23 win over the San Francisco 49ers, per Mike Garafolo . Hernandez is a pending free agent.

OCT 2 – SHEP SIGNS – In Week 4, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers elevated former New York Giants for their contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded three catches for 51 yards in a comfortable 33-16 win.

On Tuesday, he was rewarded for his contributions.

Tampa Bay made Shepard’s elevation a bit more stable by signing him to the 53-man roster, per Mike Garafolo .

The promotion comes in the wake of injuries to the receiving corps and a short week before Thursday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons. He should have several chances to make plays in a hot offense looking to build on Sunday’s momentum, giving Giants fans one more reason to tune in.

OCT 1 – THE AGELESS JASON PETERS – The New York Giants just cannot seem to get away from legendary offensive tackle Jason Peters.

After 11 years as a stalwart for the Philadelphia Eagles, Peters spent the 2022 season with the Dallas Cowboys. Now, he’s a step closer to seeing the Giants again.

On Tuesday, the Seattle Seahawks signed Peters to their practice squad, per Tom Pelissero . Seattle plays host to New York on Sunday.

While it is unlikely that Peters plays without an unforeseen injury, the Seahawks have sustained some injuries up front and did not have a lineman on the practice squad.

Perhaps more notable is how impressive it is that Peters is still playing NFL football. Peters is 42 and now in his 21st season in the NFL. Whether or not he plays, that is one hell of an accomplishment.

SEPT 29 – SHEP ASSIST – The New York Giants are always down to watch the Philadelphia Eagles lose football games.

On Sunday, they got some help from one of their own.

Former Giants receiver Sterling Shepard – who was elevated from the Tampa Bay practice squad on Saturday – caught three passes for 51 yards against a porous Philadelphia secondary. His first catch went for 18 yards on 2nd-and-12, extending a drive that would culminate in a field goal. He also hauled in a 30-yard catch on another field goal drive – the game’s final score.

The Buccaneers won, 33-16, advancing to 3-1 and sending the Eagles to 2-2.

New York will host Philadelphia in Week 7.

SEPT 28 – ANOTHER INJURY – The New York Giants suffered an injury scare on Thursday when receiver Malik Nabers sustained a concussion. But the injury list for New York’s future opponents continues to grow.

On Monday, the Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Washington Commanders, 38-33. They also lost right tackle Trent Brown, who went down with a knee injury during the prime-time affair.

It was announced shortly after that Brown had torn his patellar tendon, ending his season.

New York will host the Bengals on Sunday Night Football on Oct. 6 to wrap up Week 6.

Instead of the veteran Brown, it will be rookie Amarius Mims handling the right tackle duties. That takes on more importance given the potential of New York’s pass rush, who have yet to fully take off but can take over games by themselves.

SEPT 26 – COWBOYS OUT – The New York Giants will be without two members of their secondary – corners Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson (both calf injuries) – when they play host to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.

The losses feel significant, given the matchup with star receiver CeeDee Lamb and the lack of depth in the back end. But Dallas will likely be missing pieces in the secondary, too.

Cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) and safety Markquese Bell (ankle) were listed as doubtful on the Cowboys injury report ahead of Thursday’s game.

Related: Nabers, Daniels Driving Each Other to Greatness

This could become an issue for Dallas if New York receiver Malik Nabers is moved around the formation and star cornerback Trevon Diggs doesn’t follow him, allowing him to exploit mismatches and take advantage of an inconsistent secondary.

While Bell had largely contributed on special teams, Carson – a rookie – had been starting on the boundary in place of DaRon Bland.

SEPT 24 – DANIELS DOMINATES – The New York Giants will forever be connected to the career of Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Of course, as long as he’s in Washington, he’ll be playing them twice per year. But there were rumors that the Giants liked him pre-draft, furthered by Hard Knocks this offseason, and they ended up drafting his college teammate, receiver Malik Nabers, just four picks after he was selected with the No. 2 pick.

On Monday, Daniels introduced himself to the NFL prime-time scene in spectacular fashion.

The Commanders advanced to 2-1 after shocking the hosting Cincinnati Bengals. Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two scores. He added another 39 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Washington did not punt nor turn the ball over.

The sample size is important, of course, but if Daniels looks even close to how he did on Monday for the foreseeable future, the Giants might have to kiss their upper hand in the rivalry goodbye. He’s already helped take them down once this season, and will get another chance in Week 9.