The Giants will be without their most prolific playmaker in their defensive backfield for Sunday’s game against the Texans in Houston.
Safety Jevon Holland was downgraded from questionable to out as he makes his way through concussion protocol.
Holland made the trip with the team but will not suit up for the game, which will be quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s starting debut with the Giants.
There was an expectation Holland would be able to clear the protocol and make it back for this game, as he was able to get on the field and practice on a limited basis Thursday and Friday.
He did not make the necessary improvement, though, and will miss his first game of the season.
Holland’s replacement will likely be Jason Pinnock and/or Ar’Darius Washington, as Tyler Nubin is listed as questionable with a neck injury that kept him out of last week’s 34-27 loss to the Saints.
It could be Pinnock and Washington as the starting safeties.
This is another big loss for the Giants’ defense, although not the long-lasting hit the unit took with the season-ending injuries to edge rusher Brian Burns (in Week 3) and inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (a Week 6 casualty).
Holland in the first six games was on the field for all 380 snaps on defense.
His interception in the end zone saved the day and sealed the Week 3 victory over the Titans.
Holland leads the team with three interceptions and also has two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery to go along with his 30 tackles.
The Giants will also be without tight end Theo Johnson, who was downgraded from doubtful to out with a neck injury. Johnson did not make the trip.
