Tight end Darren Waller hasn’t been seen or heard from by the New York Giants supporters in a while, but in Week
14, the great playmaker’s injury was finally disclosed.
The news was announced on X by ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, who said, “[Waller is]’making progress’ with the
hamstring injury that has him on IR.” Giants did not rule out opening his 21-day window this week, but it is more
likely not to happen than anything else. Waller appears to have a realistic aim of next week.
Raanan did go on to say, “It will be crucial that he makes it through a full week of practice and is 100%, given his
history with hamstring problems.” If he had a setback, his season would probably end at 36.
Nevertheless, the “bottom line” provided by the NYG insider was that Waller “can be back next week vs. [the New
Orleans] Saints.”
Later, on December 6, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post verified Raanan’s injury update and reported that Waller
had informed the media that he was targeting a return in Week 15.
Giants Must Make an Interesting Choice About Darren Waller in 2024
When the Giants made a deal for Waller using some of the draft money they received in the Kadarius Toney trade,
they were taking a chance. After all, the offense needed playmakers, and the former tight end for the Las Vegas
Raiders was intended to help address that weakness.
Even though Big Blue made a respectable effort, Waller’s first year was a complete disaster. According to Over the
Cap, the veteran’s cap hit was fair in 2023 (about $4.5 million). However, that amount grows gradually from there,
peaking at over $14.5 million in 2024.
One score and 384 receiving yards do not justify that kind of cap charge.
Because of Daniel Bellinger’s consistency, it also raises the question of whether the Giants can just start the former
draft pick in the coming season and choose a new tight end to develop behind him in April.
If the Giants were to trade or release Waller after June 1, for the Cap reports minor dead cap charges of $2.45 million
and change for each of the next three seasons. The injury-prone 31-year-old is therefore a genuine prospect for the
future, depending on the path the team chooses to take in 2024.
Giants Wish to See Dexter Lawrence Return, But Evan Neal Is Not Expected to Play Against the Packers
Before the Giants’ game against the Green Bay Packers, there was also an update on the status of Dexter Lawrence,
the team’s standout defensive tackle (hamstring).
With the Monday night game providing some more time, head coach Brian Daboll expressed to reporters his
“hopefuly” that Lawrence will be able to return to practice later this week.
Duggan said on X, “It appears that Neal will miss his fourth straight game and his sixth in seven games. No such
hope expressed on Neal.”
Reporter Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News observed that Neal was “working on the side” during Wednesday’s
practice, while Lawrence was “doing some light work on his own in the back under the goal posts.”
On December 5, Lawrence informed Leonard about his injury and said, “Gradually getting better every day.” “It felt
good to work on the field today.”
The fact that veteran quarterback Matt Barkley returned to practice on December 6 after being discharged was also
noted by the Daily News beat writer. This suggests that the Giants will re-sign Barkley to the practice squad as
anticipated.
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