Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, are the final two days of New York Giants training camp in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Their first preseason game is on August 15 vs. the Minnesota Vikings. Ahead of that matchup, the team is dealing with injuries in the secondary. Giants beat reporter Dan Duggan noted that one member of the secondary is dealing with a knee injury.
New York Giants’ Dru Phillips suffered a knee injury at Wednesday’s practice. He was on the sideline with a wrap around his knee on Thursday. Head coach John Harbaugh told beat reporters that Phillips will be sidelined for “a little bit.” Will the 24-year-old be available for the Giants’ first game on September 13 vs. the Dallas Cowboys?
How much time is New York Giants’ Dru Phillips set to miss?
Dru Phillips Missed Practice on Thursday Due to a Knee Injury
In the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Giants selected Phillips out of Kentucky. As a rookie, Phillips appeared in 14 games and made six starts. Last season, he was on the field for all of New York’s 17 games. He made eight starts and finished with a career-high two interceptions, 12 passes defended, and 49 solo tackles. The second-year pro primarily played nickel cornerback for New York, but did make scattered starts throughout the year.
Unfortunately, New York Giants’ Dru Phillips suffered a knee injury on Wednesday. Reporters spoke with Harbaugh on Thursday and were told Phillips will be sidelined for “a little bit.” Not ideal for a Giants secondary that is already one of the weakest position groups on the 2026 roster. New York cannot afford for Phillips to miss extended time. Harbaugh gave a vague answer on Thursday, and it’s too soon to know just how long Phillips will be out.
Who steps up for the Giants with Phillips out?
On New York’s current depth chart, Phillips is listed as the starting nickel cornerback. With the young defensive back set to miss time, one player will have increased usage. Veteran Ar’Darius Washington went undrafted in 2021 out of TCU. Eventually, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens and was with the team for five seasons. This offseason, Washington followed Harbaugh to New York and signed a one-year, $3 million deal with $1.5 million guaranteed.
Over his career, Washington has mostly been a backup. In the 29 games he’s appeared in, 11 of them have been starts. However, Washington played all 17 games for Baltimore in 2024 and made 10 starts. If Phillips were to miss extended time, New York has a player who’s capable of stepping up. Additionally, the Giants’ new defensive coordinator is Dennard Wilson. He was the defensive backs coach for the Ravens in 2023. Wilson coached Washington for one season, and that familiarity will benefit New York.
Dec 1, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22) defends a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Do the Giants have more injuries in the secondary?
Beat reporter Dan Duggan noted that another defensive back is dealing with an injury during training camp. Jarrick Bernard-Converse missed practice on Thursday. Harbaugh reported that Bernard-Converse is dealing with an “ongoing knee issue.” He is already a third-string player on New York’s depth chart. Missing time during training camp doesn’t help his chances of making the 53-man roster.
Earlier this week, the Giants added depth at cornerback. They signed free agents David Long Jr. and D.J. James. Long Jr. was a third-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 out of Michigan. He’s played for five teams in seven seasons and appeared in 80 games with 12 starts. James was drafted by the Seahawks in 2025 but started the year with New England. After one game, he was released by the Patriots. Duggan said Harbaugh hinted the team could look to sign another free agent cornerback with Phillips going down.