Giants' ILBs 'in trouble' after Micah McFadden's injury

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The New York Giants' linebacker lineup is in serious trouble after last season's starter Micah McFadden was one of two players injured in a preseason game against the Houston Texans.

McFadden left the game due to a hip issue in the 28-10 Week 2 loss on Saturday, August 17. He was soon replaced by linebacker Matthew Adams, who succumbed to a groin injury.

Both injuries mean the Giants' ILB depth chart is dehydrated, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, noting that “Dyontae Johnson was out (on Thursday) with an ankle injury.”

Duggan's concerns are valid, but the Giants are also losing another key player in their midfield who lacks quality depth, and that position could be seen as a bigger cause for concern than the heart of the midfield.

Micah McFadden's injury is the latest challenge for ILB

McFadden has faced a tough challenge to keep his spot as the starter alongside Bobby Okereke. Part of that challenge includes Dyontae Johnson, who is being used in creative ways by new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

Due to the ankle issues Johnson suffered in Week 1 of the preseason against the Detroit Lions, the Giants are desperate for options. The experienced Adams is a viable option, but his injury means the Giants will have to expand their search for reinforcements at cornerback.

This search could also involve incumbent Carter Coughlin, but he was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft and is dealing with a lower-body injury. This gives Darius Muasau, a player who is projected to be an All-Pro in the sixth round this year, a chance to play longer.

The numbers are dwindling for a team that still plays a defensive version of the 3-4 system. It's a forward-facing defense, but up front the picture could be bleaker.

Injuries increase question marks in the Giants' defensive line

According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, the defensive lineman looked thinner after Ryder Anderson suffered a hamstring injury in the game against the Texans.

Anderson is expected to be part of a group that maintains its interior roster depth even after the Giants traded offseason signing Jordan Phillips to NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys.

There are other offensive players on the roster, but Big Blue lacks proven players. Instead, the rotation consists of undrafted free agent Elijah Chatman, who has been compared favorably to a former Giants starter.

Chatman could compete with offensive tackle Jordon Riley, a seventh-round pick in 2023. There's also DJ Davidson, a fifth-round pick in 2022. He will be joined by this year's rookie free agent Casey Rogers.

The late draft picks and undrafted unknowns don't provide the greatest depth behind clear starters Dexter Lawrence II and Rakeem-Nunez Roches. Lawrence is a dominant All-Pro, but he'll need better support if he doesn't want to be the focus of double and triple teams every week.

The Giants' defensive line must not only protect Lawrence's chances to become a game-changer, but it must also keep players away from the linebackers.

These full-backs will need significantly more support if the talent level continues to decline and the league table positions reach unbearable levels.

James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, including at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report, before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko