The New York Giants have plenty going on already, and the NFL just added another layer of annoyance.
After the team traded with the Minnesota Vikings to bring in quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Giants are heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals with McCarthy not starting yet, though he is expected to start at some point soon. That comes on top of a season that has already gone sideways after the Giants lost their franchise quarterback to an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the year.
Now four Giants players are also dealing with fines from the league.
Every Saturday during the season, the NFL releases a list of punishments for players who broke rules the previous weekend. As the league puts it, "The rules are intended to protect the players from unnecessary risk, promote player safety and emphasize sportsmanship and respect of teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and fans," the NFL explains on its official website.
This time, the Giants were hit four times. Abdul Carter was fined $11,941 for unsportsmanlike conduct after taunting in the fourth quarter with 24 seconds left. Shelby Harris was also fined $11,941 for unnecessary roughness after a facemask penalty in the fourth quarter at 11:28.
Isaiah Likely drew the biggest penalty of the group at $17,911 for unnecessary roughness on a blindside block in the second quarter at 7:04. Cam Skattebo was fined $7,073 for unnecessary roughness for use of the helmet in the first quarter at 1:10.
So while the Giants sort out their quarterback situation, they’re also taking a financial hit from the league office. The fines go to the Professional Athletes Foundation.
In Other News...
Giants Suddenly Have A Starting Safety Problem Around Tyler Nubin
Tyler Nubins latest setback has only sharpened an already tricky situation in the Giants secondary. The third-year safety left Week 5 with a neck injury and is day-to-day, but his grip on a starting job has been loosening for a while. He has already seen snaps siphoned away by Jason Pinnock and ArDarius Washington, leaving the Giants to sort through a position that suddenly looks a lot less settled next to Jevon Holland.
Jason Pinnock is also trending back toward availability after concussion protocol, which gives the Giants another decision to make as they move through the week. For Nubin, the issue is no longer just getting healthy enough to play, but proving he still belongs in the first group when the defense lines up again. The Giants wanted stability at safety, and instead they are heading into a stretch where the job picture could change again almost as soon as it is clarified. [Read more 🡒]
John Harbaugh Has Already Changed The Feel Around These Giants
Five games into the season, the Giants already look and feel different under John Harbaugh, even with the offense having to adjust after Jaxson Darts injury. The results have come against a stretch of beatable opponents, but the bigger takeaway is how often this team has stayed in the fight, leaned on players such as Jameis Winston, Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, and carried itself with a level of edge that had been missing in recent seasons.
The NFC East picture is still messy, and the Giants have not solved everything, but they have at least made their games feel competitive again. There have been key moments and missed chances along the way, yet the larger conversation around this team is no longer about passive losses or listless effort. It is about whether this group can keep stacking that toughness and turn a better start into something more meaningful. [Read more 🡒]
Giants May Have Found A Needed Answer On The Offensive Line
The Giants got a longer look at Marcus Mbow at right tackle in Week 5 against Washington, and the rookie responded well when his number was called. He stepped in after Jermaine Eleumunor went down and settled into the job with a steadiness that mattered for an offensive line trying to hold together in a tight game.
Mbow was on the field for 45 snaps and gave up two pressures, but he generally handled his assignments cleanly in pass protection. There are still details in his technique and footwork that need sharpening, which is hardly a surprise this early, but the early returns suggest the Giants may have stumbled onto a useful option while they wait to see how the spot sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]