The San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants both placed veteran defensive tackle Kevin Givens and promising rookie tight end Theo Johnson on season-ending injured reserve.
After recording a career-high 54 yards on five receptions in New York’s Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Johnson suffered a foot injury. According to reports, the former fourth-round pick will end the season with 29 receptions for 331 yards and one touchdown. Officially, Johnson is only out four weeks due to his placement on injured reserve, but according to NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson will be gone for the season.
Between 2020 and 2023, the 6-6, 264-pound Johnson amassed 77 receptions, 938 yards, and 12 touchdowns while playing for Penn State.
Givens tore his pectoral muscle against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night, his sixth season since joining San Francisco as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Earlier in the season, Givens suffered a groin injury that also restricted him. The 6-1, 285-pound Givens recorded 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles in eight games.
Givens participated in 39 games during his time at Penn State from 2016 to 2018. In addition to 13 sacks, he recorded 82 tackles and 22 tackles for loss.
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Max Ralph
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