Collin

Johnson

Johnson had been working his way back from a torn Achilles suffered in August of 2022 but became expendable following the multitude of offseason signing at wide receiver. The fourth-year wide receiver has 29 professional receptions to his ledger and will look to catch on as a depth piece elsewhere.

Johnson was in the mix for a top-three role before a preseason torn Achilles ended his year. At five months removed from surgery, returning for OTAs in April is unlikely but there’s a chance Johnson is cleared for the start of training camp. Johnson will be a candidate to open 2023 on the PUP list if he isn’t ready for Week 1.

Johnson had been having a really strong summer and even had coach Brian Daboll talking him up as a receiver who could be forcing his way into regular-season snaps, presumable at Kenny Golladay’s expense. Assuming the diagnosis comes back as an Achilles’ tear, Johnson’s season will be over before it even started. Johnson caught 10-of-11 targets for 123 yards in two preseason games before going down Wednesday.

Just a brutal outcome for Johnson, who was poised to not only make the team but also possibly fight for snaps in three- and four-wide sets after a strong summer. Instead, Johnson will head to I.R. and try to come back next year and do it all over again. Johnson turns 25 next month.

Daboll made it a point to clarify both Johnson and Sills were in the mix to see the field and not just to make the Giants’ roster. Sills has been in the NFL since 2019 and has two career catches for 17 yards. He began his career with the Bills. At the time, Daboll was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator. Johnson, a fifth-round pick in 2020, earned some playing time with the Jags as a rookie. He totaled 18 catches for 272 yards but was waived a year later. He joined the Giants last year. Neither player has a shot at being relevant for fantasy purposes, but Daboll’s praise of the duo could be taken as an indictment of Kenny Golladay. Going as a WR6 in fantasy drafts, Golladay’s is clearly factored into his bargain-bin price.

Darius Slayton is also out for Week 4, which should mean significant playing time for Collin Johnson and Kadarius Toney. If Kenny Golladay’s hip allows the Giants will lean on him heavily as their only active starting wide receiver. After leading the Giants in routes in Week 3, Saquon Barkley should be expected to have a big role in the receiving game once game. He looks like a strong play, despite the Giants low implied team total as seven point underdogs.

Slayton and Sterling Shepard were both knocked out of Week 3 with hamstring injuries, and they’ll both miss Week 4. Collin Johnson is likely to split time with C.J. Board in Slayton’s deep threat outside role. While Kadarius Tony sees time in the slot, filling in for Shepard. The Giants offense have trouble getting much going downfield with two of Daniel Jones’ top targets out this week.

Johnson emerged as a Week 3 contributor with Kenny Golladay and Evan Engram at less than full health and with Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton exiting in the first half with hamstring injuries. Johnson was considered an interesting second-year sleeper this offseason. That was before the Jaguars cut him. Given his Week 3 output, he may have a role in Week 4 against the Saints, depending on the health of Shepard and Slayton.

Johnson had been talked up as a potential fourth receiver option for the Jaguars in camp, but the 6'"6/220 second-year wide receiver was a surprise cut Tuesday. He lands in a crowded situation in New York with Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney all likely to have sizable roles in 2021. Johnson could ultimately see the field if injuries continue to hamper sideline the starters. The Giants kept John Ross, C.J. Board and Dante Pettis on their final 53-man roster, a sign they may be worried about the health of Golladay (hamstring) and Toney (unknown).

The team also parted with WRs Jalen Camp, Phillip Dorsett, Jeff Cotton Jr., Josh Hammond, and Tevin Jones. Johnson’s release is terrific news for D.J. Chark (finger), who remains questionable for Week 1. The No. 165 overall pick in last year’s draft, Johnson (6'6/222) is likely to revert to the team’s practice squad in the coming days.