Bobby Okereke‘s second season with the Giants has come to an end. The veteran linebacker was placed on IR Saturday, per a team announcement.
Okereke is dealing with a back injury, and his last appearance came during New York’s loss to Dallas on Thanksgiving. His status for the remainder of the campaign was in doubt as he missed each of the past two games, but it is now official he will not play again in 2024. Three contests remain in the Giants’ season, but the move to IR ensures a four-game absence.
After playing out his rookie contract with the Colts, Okereke inked a four-year, $40MM deal in free agency to join the Giants. Expectations were high as a result, and the 28-year-old delivered 149 tackles along with career highs in sacks (2.5) and forced fumbles last year. His statistical output for 2024 will check in at a lower figure in several categories after only 12 games played, but his absence will continue to be felt on defense.
The Giants have already been hit by injuries on that side of the ball, including most notably Dexter Lawrence‘s season-ending dislocated elbow. Okereke will join Lawrence in turning his attention to rehab ahead of the 2025 campaign, one in which none of his base salary is guaranteed. The Stanford product is due a $3MM roster bonus early in the new league year, however, so his ability to heal in full will be an important storyline for team and player. Darius Muasau will likely continue in a starting role alongside Micah McFadden to close out the season.
The Giants also moved Patrick Johnson to IR, ending his campaign. The former seventh-rounder made one appearance this season with the Eagles (in Week 1), but since that time he has been with New York. Johnson has hardly played on defense this year, but he has been a key contributor on special teams during his 12 Giants games. The Tulane product is a pending free agent.