Nick

Gates

Gates’ release won’t be official until the start of the new league year, but the one-and-done Commanders will be looking for a new home after signing a three-year deal with the team last offseason. One of several underwhelming free agent signings during the Ron Rivera era, Gates was benched for Tyler Larsen after Week 7 but returned to start the final three games of the regular season after Larsen was placed on injured reserve. Gates should find a new landing spot ahead of training camp, but won’t be a lock to make a 53-man roster.

Gates suffered a broken left fibula and tibia against the Commanders in 2021. Once thought to be a career-ending injury, Gates bounced back the following season to appear in 10 games for the Giants last season, seeing time at left tackle, center, and left guard. His versatility should make him a valuable asset along Washington’s decimated offensive line. He’ll likely work primarily in the interior in Eric Bieniemy’s offense.

Shepard had resumed jogging in early June, but isn’t quite ready to go as we open training camp. There’s still a possibility he’ll practice in the near future, and players can come off PUP/active without having to miss game time in training camp. Gates’ injury was described as career-threatening and Peart’s ACL tear happened in Week 16. Both linemen are unlikely to participate in training camp.

“We’re confident he’ll be able to come back, but yes, it could be career-ending,” Judge ominously said. Gates remains in the hospital undergoing more surgeries following his gruesome leg injury suffered against Washington in Week 2. 26 in November, it would truly be a tragedy if his career was halted only 34 appearances in. Gates started all 16 games for New York last year.

Gates suffered a gruesome leg injury against the Washington Football Team last Thursday. He spent the night in Washington and had surgery the following day. The Giants haven’t announced that his season is officially over, but this is going to be an extended absence. Gates started all 16 games for New York last season.

Gates’ injury appeared to be one of the worst in recent memory, with his leg bending a way it never should. Gates had just slid over from the pivot to replace I.R.ed LG Shane Lemieux this evening. Now an already-unmanned line is going to be forced to dig deeper than it can afford. Gates will be done for the season and return to compete for a starting job in 2021. The fourth-year UDFA is signed through 2022. He was a 16-game starter last year.

Starting LT Andrew Thomas, starting C Nick Gates, and starting RT Cam Fleming were among the linemen not practicing Thursday, along with Hernandez. This doesn’t mean the Giants will have to start practice squad offensive linemen against the Bucs on Monday night, though the situation is worth monitoring.

Fleming was signed as a swing tackle, but he’ll get the first chance at replacing Nate Solder. He’ll be pushed by third-rounder Matt Peart, Eric Smith and Chad Slade during training camp. Nick Gates, who the Giants planned to move to center, could also be an option at right tackle.

The deal has a max value of $10.3 million with incentives. Gates made only three spot starts last year but gave the Giants a late season upgrade. He was expected to move to center, but with Nate Solder sitting out, he could be in the mix at right tackle.

Gates (6’5/295) turned pro as a redshirt junior after making 35 career starts, moving from right tackle to left tackle for his final two seasons. He only earned honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2017. Short armed (32") and a lowly second-percentile SPARQ athlete, Gates isn’t built to play tackle in the NFL and isn’t a good enough blocker to excel inside.