Giants defense takes injury hit in preseason game

The New York Giants didn’t come out of Saturday’s preseason game unscathed. LB T.J. Brunson is done for the year and safety Josh Kalu tore his peck.

When it comes to preseason games, winning and losing matter far less than getting out healthy. That’s why teams keep their starters out while they can.

Unfortunately, it’s often the guys fighting for roster spots who have to take the risk. And sometimes the worst happens.

For the Giants, two defensive figures came out of Saturday’s preseason game against the Jets hurting.

Giants linebacker T.J. Brunson is out for the season

Second-year linebacker T.J. Brunson had a huge play forcing a fumble in the third quarter. Sadly, he suffered a devastating injury shortly after.

Brunson is out for the season with a torn ACL, the Giants confirmed on Sunday.

The seventh-round pick out of South Carolina in 2020 was projected as a third-string weakside linebacker. As a rookie, he appeared in five games with 3 total tackles. His future is heavily in doubt after the injury.

Giants safety Josh Kali tore his pectoral muscle

New York’s secondary also took a hit on Saturday. Joshua Kalu tore his pec and may miss the rest of the 2021 season as a result.

Kalu signed a three-year, $1.71 million contract with the Giants this spring after three years with the Titans. Last year, he played 15 games in Tennessee largely on special teams with 16 combined tackles.

Like Brunson, the fourth-year safety needed to make an impression this preseason to ensure a place on the roster. The injury is a massive blow to that plan.

The Giants lost Saturday’s game against the Jets, 12-7. Brunson had four tackles on the night while Kalu had three.

New York’s next preseason game is against the Browns. They’ll hope to get out of that one without more season-enders.