The homestretch of the Giants' season could be seen as a good opportunity for Daniel Bellinger to prove himself…if he hadn't done so two years ago.
The third-year tight end played 61 snaps last week (up from his previous season high of just 26) and tied for the team lead with five catches against the Saints.
He is expected to be heavily involved again Sunday as the Giants move forward without injured rookie Theo Johnson.
It's the latest development in an unusual career path for Bellinger, who started as a rookie fourth-round pick and finished fifth in receptions (30 in 12 games) on a 2022 playoff team.
Since then, the Giants have replaced him twice, trading for Darren Waller in 2023 and drafting Johnson in the fourth round in 2024.
“This is something no one sees with their own eyes, but this is football too and you can't expect it to continue.” [upward] Always,” Bellinger said. “Sometimes it looks like this. [up and down]. I have to keep getting better. It's unfortunate that I got this opportunity with such an injury situation, but you have to take what you can get in this league. ”
When the Giants defeated the Ravens in 2022, Bellinger scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, his third in five games.
Sunday's game against the Ravens marked the 37th time since then that he has not returned to the end zone.
“It's above my pay grade. I just do what they ask me to do,” Bellinger said when asked about his less-emphasized role. “I feel like I have the ability to do anything that any tight end can do. My confidence hasn't wavered. I've done a good job in terms of focusing on my details. The idea is, ' How can we have the best tight end room?”
When Johnson was healthy, Bellinger's role was more block-oriented.
With Johnson sidelined for the remainder of the season, Bellinger should be able to flash his reliable hands more often as veteran Chris Manhertz steps up his blocking.
Bellinger credits his year with Waller, a former Pro Bowler and now retired, for teaching him how to deal with adversity on and off the field.
“Berry is a player we've relied on for the past few years, so this was nothing new for us,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said. “Does he have less touches, or does he have more touches and participate in the passing game?” [or] In the run game, he's kind of a Swiss Army knife in that regard.”
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), LB Bobby Okereke (back), CB Drew Phillips (shoulder), and RG John Runyan Jr. (ankle) will not play.
QB Drew Lock (heel/left elbow) and CB Cordale Flott (quad) are considered questionable.
CB Deonte Banks (ribs), OT Chris Hubbard (knee), LB Deyontae Johnson (ankle), and C Austin Schlotman (fibula) are questionable. Johnson and Schlottmann will likely have to go on injured reserve.
QB Tim Boyle, who first joined the Giants on Nov. 19, is expected to be promoted from the practice squad as Tommy DeVito's primary backup, and Lock could also be used in an emergency. Boyle dressed as Lock's backup for the Thanksgiving game against the Cowboys.
“He's getting up to speed as quickly as possible,” Kafka said. “But he's a great worker.”
