Giants outside linebacker Victor Dimukeje sustained a torn pectoral during offseason workouts with the team, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
The 2021 sixth-rounder will have to spend the summer rehabbing the injury, though he could be healthy by the start of the regular season. Dimukeje recorded 4.0 sacks in 2023 for the Cardinals, but went sack-less in his other three seasons in Arizona. He signed a one-year, $1.34MM contract with the Giants this offseason that contains just under $170k in guaranteed money.
Missing time during training camp will negatively impact Dimukeje’s chances of making the 53-man roster. The Giants have three potential starting edge rushers in Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, but their depth is questionable. Free agent signing Chauncey Golston broke out with 5.5 sacks last year but has little experience playing as a 3-4 outside linebacker as required in Shane Bowen‘s defense. The ex-Cowboy profiles more as a designated pass-rusher, which would leave Dimukeje and Tomon Fox competing for the OLB4 roster spot. Both have been unproductive in their careers thus far.
The Giants also signed undrafted rookie Trace Ford, an athletic edge-rusher out of Oklahoma who recorded 7.5 sacks in two college seasons before a 2021 injury and just 2.5 since. He tested well at his pro day and could make his case for a roster spot while Dimukeje is recovering.