Just days after fearing the worst, the Giants have received positive news regarding a projected starter at a key position.
Guard Shane Lemieux is expected to miss just a couple of weeks with a knee injury suffered during the team's first week of training camp, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Lemieux will not need surgery on the injured knee following a battery of tests, providing the Giants with significant relief.
Lemieux is projected to start at left guard, while Will Hernandez is expected to replace departed veteran Kevin Zeitler at right guard in 2021. Worse news would have sent the Giants scrambling to identify a viable replacement for the second-year guard, but thankfully for the Giants, they won't have to return to the drawing board as the calendar turns to August.
Lemieux replaced Hernandez on the left side last season after Hernandez was sidelined by COVID-19 and performed well enough to convince the Giants they could move on from Zeitler and promote Lemieux to a starting role in 2021. While he still has plenty of room for improvement, Lemieux is expected to play well enough to answer any questions the Giants might have about the state of the position.
He'll have a couple of weeks to get right physically before resuming his pursuit of becoming a quality starter for the Giants.
Nonetheless, New York is bringing in some depth.
The Giants are signing former Cowboys interior offensive lineman Joe Looney, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Saturday. Over nine years with the Cowboys, 49ers and Titans, Looney has started 42 games. The team later announced the signing.
New York linebacker Blake Martinez returned to the team after a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Giants also announced Saturday they have signed linebacker Todd Davis and wide receiver Damion Willis.
Here's other news Around The NFL is monitoring on Saturday:
- The Indianapolis Colts announced Saturday the signings of quarterback Brett Hundley and defensive tackle Joey Ivie. Hundley, who's previously been with the Packers and Cardinals, comes to Indy amid uncertainty about the immediate future of Carson Wentz, who sustained a foot injury.
- The Baltimore Ravens announced the signing of veteran linebacker Justin Houston. Receiver Marquise Brown missed his second straight practice after exiting early on Thursday, per ESPN.
- Philadelphia Eagles rookie receiver DeVonta Smith is being evaluated for a leg injury, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. The initial report suggests it's not believed to be anything serious.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Saturday their 2021 Steelers Hall of Honor Class: offensive tackle Tunch Ilkin, left tackle Jon Kolb, safety Carnell Lake and wide receiver Louis Lipps. The class will be inducted Nov. 13-14, when Pittsburgh is hosting the Detroit Lions during Week 9 action.
- Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said quarterback Dak Prescott (shoulder strain) will take part in individual drills but will not be throwing once again. Left tackle Tyron Smith is still out with elbow tendinitis, but Michael Gallup (ankle) will be returning to practice.
- The Seattle Seahawks are signing journeyman quarterback Sean Mannion to a one-year deal, per Rapoport.
- Washington Football Team All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff and offensive lineman David Sharpe are being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Washington head coach Ron Rivera announced. Scherff and Sharpe are the latest WFT players added to the list, joining others such as wideout Curtis Samuel and defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis. Rivera has previously stated his concern and dismay with his team's reluctance to get vaccinated. Washington also claimed offensive lineman Ross Reynolds off the waivers from the Dolphins.
- Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said cornerback Xavien Howard is "getting better" with his ankle injury and he is out at practice, but Flores said previously it would be in a "modified" form. Wide receiver Will Fuller is day to-day with an undisclosed injury and tight end Mike Gesicki is not practicing.
- The Tennessee Titans activated linebacker Bud Dupree off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Tennessee placed Dupree on the list Thursday. The Titans also agreed to terms with tight end Luke Stocker, waived defensive back Quenton Meeks and placed offensive lineman Brandon Kemp on injured reserve.
- The San Francisco 49ers announced Saturday the signing of tight end Jordan Matthews, who was formerly a wide receiver for the Eagles, Bills and Niners. The move was initially reported Friday by Garafolo. In a corresponding move, the team released wide receiver Bennie Fowler.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Saturday the signing of wide receiver Jeff Cotton.
- The Green Bay Packers placed Simon Stepaniak on the reserve/retired list. Stepaniak, 24, was a Packers sixth-round draft choice in 2020.
- The New Orleans Saints are hosting veteran offensive lineman Brent Qvale, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Qvale played five seasons with the Jets and played last season with the Texans. He's started 18 games and played in 77 over his career. New Orleans is also signing former Falcons and Giants running back Devonta Freeman to a one-year deal, Rapoport reported.
- The Las Vegas Raiders have placed kicker Daniel Carlson on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bisi Johnson tore his ACL in Friday's practice, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Saturday. Johnson had 45 catches over his first two NFL seasons in Minnesota. Also on Saturday, Vikings rookie QB Kellen Mond's positive test for COVID-19 prevented him and quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley from practicing.
- The Los Angeles Rams announced that defensive tackle Bobby Brown III (thumb) and cornerback Robert Rochell (wrist) are set to undergo surgery. Both were fourth-round selections in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Training camp is finally here! Be sure to check outNFL Network's extensive live coverage, including Inside Training Camp every day and highlighted by Training Camp: Back Together Saturday Fueled by Gatorade on July 31.
