Giants Designate Darren Waller To Return From IR

Giants Open Darren Waller’s Practice Window and Will Return to Team

Before getting traded to the Giants, tight end Darren Waller was considered one of the best tight ends in football. He possessed the speed and the route-running ability that it takes to be one the best at the position. When he arrived in New York, it was seen as a big move and Waller was immediately the number one pass-catching threat on the team. The season hasn’t gone as expected for Waller or the Giants. However, things could be changing, and a Waller return to provide even more Jersey juice.

It was reported today that the Giants have opened the practice window for Darren Waller to return and be able to join the active roster. He had been sidelined due to a hamstring injury and hasn’t played since Week 8 against the Jets. Waller was put on IR due to the injury, which was a devastating blow to Waller who had suffered from a similar hamstring injury a season ago with the Raiders.

Waller’s time in Oakland and Las Vegas was a fruitful one as he rejuvenated his career and his life. He has been very open about his battles with substance abuse and how he’s overcome those problems. When he arrived at the Raiders, Waller wasn’t well known. He spent time with the Ravens and didn’t get a lot of playing time. He quickly flourished as in his first two full seasons with the Raiders, he had over 1,000 yards receiving. Injuries held him back the following two seasons. When he was on the field though, Waller was a game-changer and a weapon that the Raiders could use all over the field.

Giant Return For Darren Waller

The Giants were in desperate need of a weapon on the offensive side of the football after 2022. They had made the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and quarterback Daniel Jones had the best season of his career. However, their vertical passing game was challenged and there weren’t a lot of people that would scare an offense. Enter Darren Waller. The Giants traded a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Raiders for Waller and instantly, Waller brought a different energy to the offense. Things were looking good in training camp and the preseason.

However, it took a while for things to click during the regular season. Waller didn’t get over 80 yards receiving until Week 5. That is also when Daniel Jones hurt his neck and had to miss some time. The tight end then had his best game two weeks later against the Commanders, where he had seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately for Waller, a week later, he suffered a hamstring injury that landed him on IR. Now, the Giants are in a different position from when Waller was last on the field. They get to team him back up with running back Saquon Barkley on the offense. If Waller came back and provided some help to the receiving game, that would do wonders for a young quarterback like Tommy DeVito.