Tests revealed that offensive tackle Matt Peart suffered a torn ACL in the Giants' loss in Philadelphia, the team announced Monday.
The second-year pro made his fifth start of the season and second at right tackle in place of Nate Solder, who did not play after he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list along with nose tackle Danny Shelton on Saturday. Peart suffered the injury with 4:31 remaining in the first quarter and did not return.
"You talk about Matt's year this year, trying to build in that second year, I think one thing is he's dealt with a number of setbacks from injury," coach Joe Judge said. "He showed up to training camp, had to go on PUP, had an issue with his back that set him back a good bit. That was something that kind of snowballed and kind of rolled into early in the season as far as him being able to go out there and really play at a top-level. There's been a number of other things that kind of crept up on him this year in terms of bumps and bruises that have kind of carried over. To see his season end the way it is with the ACL and how he was really plugging forward – one thing about Matt is he's a really, really good team player and the guys really like him and respect the way he works and goes out there every day and prepares and challenges and competes.
"You hate seeing any player get hurt, you hate seeing guys who truly love the game and love their team being injured. One thing that we're certain of is we know he's going to get great medical attention and he's going to get great attention to the rehab process and get him back on the field. He's still a young player, he's got a bright future ahead of him."
Peart was replaced by Korey Cunningham, but Judge said they will look at a number of options heading into the Week 17 road game against the Chicago Bears.
The news was among a series of roster moves made by the Giants on Monday. Julian Love, a versatile defensive back and key special teamer was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list before the team travels to his hometown of Chicago. Defensive back Ka'dar Hollman was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list, and center Evan Boehm was released from the practice squad.
"Me, him and Logan (Ryan), we actually have a little group message together," safety Xavier McKinney said of Love. "He told us about it, so we've already talked. Obviously, this was a game that he was looking forward to just because it's his hometown. We know that it sucks – the situation that he's in with the whole COVID thing. We're just praying for his safety, for his health. We told him we were going to hold it down for the week. But yeah, obviously it's a sucky situation to be in."
McKinney added, "We'll find out come Wednesday about how we're going to play, who's going to be in and fill that role for J-Love. Obviously, he's a big piece to what we do defensively, so we're definitely going to miss him this week, but we'll figure it out come Wednesday."
*The Giants will have another decision to make this week at quarterback. Jake Fromm made his first NFL start on Sunday but was replaced in the third quarter by veteran Mike Glennon, who had started the previous three games after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending neck injury.
"I like the way Mike puts the team first and comes out and works," Judge said. "There are some things collectively that we have to do better as an offense all around. I like the way that Mike comes in with a positive attitude every week and stays ready. I know he's going to do that this week and he'll go into Chicago. It's going to be a tough challenge for all of us and I know Mike and Jake will both be getting ready for the opportunity."
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