The New York Giants definitely need help at linebacker if they want to improve but some of that help might come from a player that’s already on the roster despite not playing much last season – that player is Ryan Connelly, and his lack of playing time was due to missing most of the 2019 season with an ACL tear after a hot start where Connelly looked like the best defensive rookie on the team.
Connelly now has an uncertain place in the lineup thanks to missing most of his rookie season, but if he comes out playing the same way that he did before his injury, he’s a guaranteed starter on a team that hasn’t been strong in recent years at his position. All of that, though, hinges on his ability to rehab well and come out with good performances again in 2020.
According to Connelly himself, though, things are going well so far – even if the coronavirus outbreak this year is throwing a wrench into some offseason plans.
“I’ll be ready to go for training camp,” Connelly told the New York Post. “I think I would’ve been able to do some limited participation in OTAs. I was excited to do individual periods and get reps, but who knows if I will get that chance given the scheduling changes due to the coronavirus.”
“There haven’t been any setbacks. I’m starting to do some cutting and explosive running. We understand that I’ve had a lot of time, so we haven’t been pushing it or trying to rush through things. Lower body, starting from ground zero getting my strength and flexibility back, and making sure [the knee] can flex and extend fully,” Connelly continued.
During his time on the field last season, Connelly did manage to make a statistical impact. He had three games started out of four played, and had 20 tackles, one sack, and perhaps most notably a pair of interceptions. He was predicted by most of the fanbase to start for the entire season, but obviously, the torn ACL ended those hopes.
The hope now, of course, is that Connelly can come back and fill the same role well this season – which based on his talk about there being no setbacks, is entirely possible.