New York Giants training camp has been conducted under trying conditions, mainly heat and thunderstorms, and with those come heat-related injuries.
The latest injury appears to be a minor one. Inside linebacker B.J. Goodson is dealing with a hamstring strain and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
“Early in practice, (he hurt his) hamstring a little bit. It’s not terrible. We’ll see. He’ll be back soon,” head coach Pat Shurmur told reporters on Thursday.
Goodson is embroiled in a battle for the starting inside linebacker job with second-year player Tae Davis and rookie Ryan Connelly. There’s been a lot of positive talk surrounding both of those players and Goodson, entering the final year of his contract, has to pick up his game. He won’t be able to do that from the sidelines.
Goodson has always been seen as a thumper in the middle and his pass coverage skills are lacking. Linebackers coach Bill McGovern believes Goodson’s pass coverage skills have improved over last season.
“He understands the nickel game, (and) he can play the nickel game,” said McGovern. “He’s strong, he’s physical against the run, he’s gotten better against the pass receiver and moves better, even in this preseason camp. We’re excited just to see everything that he’s doing as it continues on, and kind of plays itself out as we get into the games.”
Goodson was a fourth-round pick out of Clemson in 2016 and played in 15 games as a rookie, predominantly on special teams. In 2017, he missed nine games due to various leg injuries. Last year, Goodson playing 15 games (starting 13) making 61 tackles (44 solo) with four tackles for a loss, three QB hits, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
His sub par play against the pass has forced the Giants to seek other options at the inside linebacker spot next to Alec Ogletree. He must get back on the field quickly or run the risk of having Davis and/or Connelly displace him in defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s scheme.
