The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys both lost key players for multiple months with torn tendons following their respective practices Wednesday.
Giants wide receiver Collin Johnson, 24, tore his Achilles tendon during practice, according to ESPN, citing the team. Johnson fell during a non-contact play after which team trainers attended to him, according to The New York Post. The injury comes amid a strong preseason performance by Johnson who has hauled in ten passes for 123 receiving yards in two preseason games, according to ESPN.
More on the Giants losing promising WR Collin Johnson to a torn Achilles, via @JordanRaanan:https://t.co/7nFxAnGnKP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2022
“The guys that have been out there and producing, Collin Johnson, David Sills, they’ve stepped their game up,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said, according to The New York Post. “And they’re right in the mix, not just to make a team but to play.”
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound receiver was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2020 draft before the Giants claimed him off waivers in Sept. 2021, according to Giants.com. He has 29 catches for 377 yards in 26 career games, according to ESPN. (RELATED: NFL Star Says He Played Last Season With A Torn ACL).
Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith suffered what was initially reported as a torn left hamstring that was expected to keep him out for several months, according to ESPN. The injury occurred during a running play while Smith was attempting to make a block on a linebacker, according to the report. Initial tests reveal Smith’s ACL is intact, the report continues.
NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Smith’s injury actually involves an avulsion fracture of the knee which will require surgery, and likely keep him out until at least December. The 31-year-old eight-time pro bowler is the longest-tenured Cowboy, but has missed 20 games the past two seasons, and hasn’t played a full season since 2015, the report continues.
#Cowboys standout LT Tyron Smith actually suffered an avulsion fracture of the knee, meaning the hamstring tendon that sits at the back of the knee pulled off the bone and he needs surgery, sources say. If he’s back at all, it’ll be December. A tough loss.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2022
The Giants open their season Sept. 11 at the Tennessee Titans while the Cowboys open the same day hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.