Belton (back) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Vikings, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
The third-year safety out of Iowa was limited earlier in the week with a back injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. Belton is expected to line up as New York's top strong safety in 2024 after posting 33 total tackles, including 1.0 sack, and two interceptions across 17 regular-season games last season.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Working through injury
Rotowire
Belton (back) is limited in practice Wednesday, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.
Belton had been competing with rookie Tyler Nubin for the team's starting strong safety job and was believed to have won the competition. However, his current injury could see him have to hand that role to Nubin for Week 1 against the Vikings if he is unable to suit up for the contest.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Competing for starting role
Rotowire
Belton is competing with rookie Tyler Nubin for the Giants' starting strong safety position, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.
Belton didn't see much of the field during his first two seasons in the NFL, playing behind All-Pro caliber safety Xavier McKinney. Now that McKinney is out of New York, Belton has the opportunity to win a starting role in the Giants' secondary. According to Dunleavy, the third-year safety has been playing with the Giants' first-team defense since OTAs and has impressed with his ball-hawking abilities. Nubin, Belton's main competition for a starting spot, is now dealing with a hamstring issue as well. If Nubin continues to miss time with this injury, Belton could run away with the Giants' top strong safety spot.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Will play Sunday
Rotowire
Belton (shoulder) is active Sunday against the Commanders.
Belton is expected to draw the start at free safety for the Giants on Sunday. The rookie's role has varied throughout the season, but his opportunities should increase as long as he remains healthy, with Xavier McKinney (hand) sidelined.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Notches first career interception
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Belton tallied four tackles (two solo) and an interception in Sunday's Week 10 victory against the Texans.
Belton got the start Sunday in place of the injured Xavier McKinney (hand), and he made the most of the opportunity with a big interception in the end zone as Houston was driving early in the fourth quarter. The pick was the first of Belton's NFL career and highlighted the nose for the ball he displayed in intercepting five passes for Iowa last season. Belton should be in line for extended run while McKinney remains out of action, which will be for at least three more weeks.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Unlikely to play Sunday
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Belton (collarbone) is not expected to play in Sunday's season opener against Tennessee, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Belton is officially listed as questionable on the injury report, but he has yet to practice without a non-contact jersey, making it unlikely that he'll be available for Sunday's contest. As another indication of Belton's expected absence, the Giants activated safety Tony Jefferson from the practice squad Saturday. If he does indeed sit out Week 1, Belton could make his NFL debut in New York's home opener against Carolina next Sunday.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Aiming to be ready by Week 1
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Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday that he's hopeful Belton (collarbone) will be ready for Week 1, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
Belton recently returned to individual drills for the first time since fracturing his collarbone at the beginning of training camp. He was initially expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks, but it sounds like he could return on the early side of that estimate. The Giants only kept three safeties (including Belton) on their initial 53-man roster, so New York will likely have to make a move if anything changes to Belton's status on the negative side.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Remains out
Rotowire
Belton (collarbone) has been ruled out for Sunday's preseason finale against the Jets, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Belton fractured his collarbone at the beginning of August, but he was able to avoid surgery, suggesting he could possibly return by the start of the regular season. However, the initial return timetable may have been a bit too optimistic as the rookie has remained sidelined throughout training camp. Once healthy, the 21-year-old could be in store for a solid depth role after impressing during the early stages of training camp.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Won't need surgery
Rotowire
Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Tuesday that Belton (collarbone) won't need surgery and isn't certain to begin the year on injured reserve, Lance Meadow of SiriusXM reports.
Belton fractured his collarbone during Saturday's practice, but the team is holding out hope that the rookie fourth-round draft pick can recover quickly and be ready for the start of the regular season. That's far from a certainty, but Belton's ability to avoid surgery at least makes the scenario a possibility. The 21-year-old was making a strong impression in camp, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com, and he's been expected to open the campaign as the team's third safety.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Likely to miss 6-8 weeks
Rotowire
Belton suffered a fractured collarbone and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, Art Stapleton of The Record Sports reports.
Belton was seen wearing a sling Monday, but this update clarifies the nature and severity of his injury. The rookie safety's absence will likely linger into the regular season, and the Giants would need to keep Belton on their 53-man roster for him to be eligible to return in late September.
