Even though Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty’s surgically repaired knee prevented him from practicing throughout the offseason and training camp, he was still surprised when the Giants placed him on the PUP/reserve list on Monday.
“I’m not gonna say I saw it coming,” said Canty, who now will not be eligible to play for at least the first six weeks of the regular season. “Obviously, I was optimistic about it. I feel good. I feel in pretty good shape, considering all the factors. I stand by the position my knee is better than it was November, December, January of last season. But ultimately, this was a decision that was made in the best interest of the football team.”
Putting Canty on PUP gives the Giants an extra roster spot until they decide to bring him back. He battled knee problems throughout the second half of last season and had an unspecified offseason knee surgery, which he thought would allow him to return for training camp.
Obviously, that wasn’t the case.
“I don't have a crystal ball,” Canty said. “If you were to ask me if I would start the season on PUP, I'd have said there's no chance. But here I am. So it is what it is.”
After six weeks, the Giants will have three weeks to open a three-week window. During that window, they would have to either activate Canty, move him or keep him on PUP.
Veteran Rocky Bernard and third-year defensive tackle Linval Joseph rotated with Canty last season, but the pair will have to get by without him for the time being.
Second-year defensive tackle Marvin Austin is battling a sore back, which leaves Dwayne Hendricks, veteran Marcus Thomas and rookie Markus Kuhn as the next in line at the position.
“The guys are competing at a very high level,” Canty said. “When you turn on the film, you watch the guys playing, it's like watching the varsity defense against the JV offense of other teams. They're dominant.”
The Giants also placed tight end Travis Beckum (knee) on the PUP/reserve list on Monday.
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