The Giants’ cornerback depth chart will have a different look for the time being. Head coach John Harbaugh announced on Friday that veteran Paulson Adebo has been moved to injured reserve.
That means an absence of at least four games is now in store. Adebo, who carries a team-high cap charge of $24.2MM in 2026, was absent from practice on Thursday due to a knee injury. That remained the case today. Friday also marked the first Giants work for fellow cornerback Nikko Reed, who has been signed off the Chargers’ practice squad.
Adebo found himself as a backup in Week 1, and he played just 10 defensive snaps while filling in for Deonte Banks on multiple occasions. The former Saint was a full-time starter during his debut season in New York, but Banks won a first-team boundary spot in training camp over him. Adebo is now facing a notable absence as the Giants sort out their cornerback options on the injury front.
Harbaugh said (via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News) Adebo had been dealing with nagging knee issues prior to this IR move. He added he does not believe surgery will be required in this case, although that may end up changing. In any event, this marks an unwanted development in Adebo’s Giants tenure, one which has largely not gone according to plan so far. His contract runs through 2027.
Banks exited New York’s season opener more than once, while fellow starter Greg Newsome was also banged up coming out of the win against the Cowboys. Banks did not participate in Friday’s practice due to a calf issue, while Newsome was limited by a rib ailment. Especially with Adebo now on the sidelines, second-round rookie Colton Hood could take on an increased workload against the Rams on Monday night.
Reed, 23, was among the players waived by the Chargers during roster cuts at the end of training camp. The former undrafted free agent immediately joined the Bolts’ taxi squad but he did not play in Week 1 as a gameday elevation. Reed’s total of five career regular-season appearances could now increase based on the nature of the Giants’ CB depth chart heading into Week 2, though.
