INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Giants really felt the absence of Deonte Banks.
It’s interesting to think that, just a couple of months ago, this wouldn’t have seemed likely.
After making a solid return in Week 1 with four tackles and two pass breakups, Banks was unable to play in Monday night’s defeat against the Rams due to a calf injury. This setback comes during what was shaping up to be a breakout year for the 2023 first-round draft choice, who had previously faced challenges like being benched or even being used as a kickoff returner under the old coaching staff.
With Banks out, the Giants were down two of their top four cornerbacks, as Paulson Adebo is on injured reserve. This left them with rookie second-round pick Colton Hood starting alongside a battered but still active Greg Newsome II.
This situation didn’t bode well. Davante Adams, even without his standout teammate Puka Nacua and fellow receiver Jordan Whittington, had a huge night with eight receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns in just the first three quarters. One of those touchdowns came from a fade that Hood couldn’t defend, pushing the score to 21-3.
Additionally, Hood and rookie Arvell Reese both were unable to prevent Kyren Williams from scoring a touchdown.
Safety Jevón Holland tried to compensate for the secondary’s shortcomings, recording an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
LB Micah McFadden (neck), S Jason Pinnock, OT J.C. Davis, TE Thomas Fidone II, DT Darius Alexander, and DT Bobby Jamison-Travis also didn’t play. Notably, Alexander was a third-round pick from 2025.
RB Najee Harris made his debut with the Giants, joining an unusual lineup of five active running backs—Cam Skattebo, Harris, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, and fullback Patrick Ricard.
Harris had previously torn his Achilles at SoFi Stadium while with the Chargers. In his first game back, he struggled on two carries inside the 10-yard line, ending the night with just 6 rushing yards.
Abdul Carter recorded the Giants’ first sack of the season after what felt like six blank quarters, while Brian Burns added the team’s only other quarterback hit.
Interestingly, reports indicated the Rams had offered two first-round picks to the Panthers for Burns in 2022. Burns expressed surprise over the Rams’ substantial offer and the Panthers’ decision to decline it during a tense contract negotiation. He believed that deal could have significantly changed the trajectory of his career, potentially leading to his first playoff appearance.
“I feel that I’d have been successful over there, but, yeah, it would change a little bit,” Burns remarked. “When they turned it down, I was kind of happy. I didn’t want to leave my team.”
Eventually, the Giants did acquire Burns from the Panthers and immediately signed him to a hefty five-year, $141 million contract extension in March 2024, giving up a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and a swap of fifth-round selections in return.
Additionally, receiver and return specialist Braxton Berrios and ILB Malik Harrison have been elevated from the practice squad again for the second consecutive week. They still have one more elevation available.
