The New York Giants will be shorthanded when they face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8 due to an ominous step backward from one of their starters, safety Jevon Holland.
Holland is in his first season with the Giants, spending the first four years of his career with the Miami Dolphins. One of the top free-agent safeties on the market this past offseason, Holland has started all seven games for the Giants so far.
It is a blow against any opponent, but especially the defending Super Bowl champions. It’s also just one of several late announcements made by the Giants one day before their NFC East showdown.
More NFL: Joe Flacco Positioned to Cash In During Run as Bengals Starting QB
“The following Giants players will not travel with the team to Philadelphia,” Giants.com senior editor Dan Salomone posted on X on Saturday, naming Holland, cornerback Paulson Adebo, and defensive lineman Chauncey Golston.
Holland received an additional note that he was “downgraded to OUT.”
The news of Holland’s step back caused a buzz on social media, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting on it.
The Giants listed Holland as doubtful on their final injury report of the week, with Adebo and Golston already ruled out. Fortunately for the Giants, there were no changes to the statuses of DE Brian Burns, kicker Graham Gano, or DL D.J. Davidson, who are all questionable.
More NFL: Jets Make Significant Justin Fields Announcement Before Facing Bengals
It is all hands on deck for the Giants’ 29th-ranked defense, which also ranks 23rd in scoring.
The Eagles enter this contest ranked 26th overall offensively. However, they are 14th in scoring and snapped a two-game skid in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Giants are coming off a deflating loss to the Denver Broncos, and are 1-2 in their last three outings. As the road team, and one with a rookie in Jaxson Dart at quarterback, personnel losses like Holland loom large.
