Phillip

Dillard

Dillard was a rare miss by Giants GM Jerry Reese in the 2010 draft, going in the fourth round. The 25-year-old has appeared in seven career games.

Goff is the most veteran of the competitors, so it’s not a surprise that he’s running with the ones for now. Rookie Phillip Dillard and perhaps athletic Bryan Kehl, however, will get opportunities as well. The winner of the job may only be a two-down linebacker, limiting his upside in IDP leagues.

Brown is a former Colt, where he became familiar with Chargers rookie GM Tom Telesco. Dillard, 26, has practice squad eligibility remaining.

Finally, a middle ‘backer. Dillard, second on the ‘Huskers in tackles behind only Ndamukong Suh last season, is a thumper at 6-foot-1 and 240+ pounds. Though he left Nebraska as the school’s only four-time all-Big 12 pick in school history, Dillard lacks ideal range and battled chronic knee injuries in college after tearing his ACL as a sophomore. He’s hardly a lock to win the Giants’ starting middle linebacker job in his first year.

The Giants wanted Alabama’s Rolando McClain, but became an impossibility after the Raiders took him eighth overall. They then passed on guys like Sean Lee and Brandon Spikes while targeting fourth-round pick Phillip Dillard. He’ll be in the mix along with Jonathan Goff, Chase Blackburn and Gerris Wilkinson.

Goff left Sunday’s loss in the fourth quarter and did not return. However, it sounds like the middle linebacker will be fine to face the Eagles next week. Phillip Dillard is Goff’s backup.

Goff declined to say where on his body he got the X-rays, but he appeared to be favoring his elbow when initially injured. Goff was averaging 4.6 tackles a game heading into today’s contest. He was replaced in the lineup by Phillip Dillard.

Goff had five tackles before leaving. Phillip Dillard -- not Chase Blackburn -- replaced Goff.

The rookie appears likely to “miss some time,” according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Dillard had the Giants made as a fourth-round pick, but this could give them a way to “stash” him on injured reserve. Jonathan Goff has won the starting middle linebacker job, and Chase Blackburn will back him up.

Second to only Ndamukong Suh in tackles at Nebraska last season, Dillard was drafted to fill Antonio Pierce’s shoes at middle linebacker. Though he has seen time with the first-team defense in spring practices, Dillard is expected to enter training camp behind Jonathan Goff.