Giants Veteran TE Designated To Return From IR

(Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire)

The New York Giants haven’t had much success in the passing game this season.

The team ranks 32nd in passing yards through Week 14 because of inconsistent play from Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor and undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito.

Some of that is thanks to injuries on offense and the lack of a true No. 1 pass-catcher who isn’t running back Saquon Barkley.

But the Giants – and DeVito – could get another weapon back on offense soon with just a month left in the regular season.

New York reportedly opened up the 21-day practice window for tight end Darren Waller, who’s been on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

#Giants TE Darren Waller had his practice window opened from IR, as he’s been designated to return.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 14, 2023

This is significant for two reasons: The Giants are still technically in the playoff race and Waller would quickly and immediately open up things more for DeVito in the passing game.

Waller, who the Giants traded a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for this past offseason, had 36 receptions for 384 yards and one touchdown through the first eight games this season – the seventh most among tight ends during that span.

His receptions and receiving yards are also still second on the team despite him missing the past six games.

The Giants, meanwhile, averaged 155.1 passing yards per game from Weeks 1 to 8 with Waller and 147.2 yards per game from Weeks 9 to 14 without him.

While that isn’t a huge difference, that pre-Waller average rises to 197.8 yards per game if you take out the two games the Giants passed for fewer than 64 yards (in Weeks 1 and 8).

If the Giants want to make a serious playoff push, Waller’s return will be critical to that goal.

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