Jevon Holland ruled out as Giants limp into Houston

Holland had been questionable all week. On Saturday afternoon the Giants made it official, and the beat writers had it within minutes of each other.

Mike Garafolo

@MikeGarafolo

The #Giants downgraded S Jevon Holland (concussion) and TE Theo Johnson (neck) to out for tomorrow’s game against the #Texans. Holland was previously listed as questionable, Johnson was doubtful.

Holland at least had a questionable tag going for him. Theo Johnson was already doubtful with the neck injury, so losing him wasn't much of a surprise. Losing Holland is the one that hurts, because of everybody else who's already in street clothes.

Jordan Raanan

@JordanRaanan

S Jevon Holland (concussion) downgraded to OUT. TE Theo Johnson (neck) also out. Giants defense extremely shorthanded with Holland, Tremaine Edmunds and Greg Newsome all missing Sunday vs. Texans.

Here's that list. Tremaine Edmunds isn't just out for Sunday. He's done for the season with a shoulder injury he picked up against the Saints, and he was a big free-agent signing this offseason. Micah McFadden is expected to take his spot. Greg Newsome is in the concussion protocol too, so take Holland away as well and the Giants are playing without their middle linebacker, a starting corner and a starting safety in the same game. That's not the back 7 anybody drew up in the spring.

There's 1 piece of good news. Paulson Adebo comes off injured reserve, and John Harbaugh didn't hedge on whether he's ready.

Jordan Raanan

@JordanRaanan

Paulson Adebo will be activated from IR later today. "He's ready to go," John Harbaugh said on Friday. With Greg Newsome (concussion) out, Adebo could be right back in starting mix. Also, may have a Jalin Hyatt sighting. He's worked hard to earn an elevation + opportunity.

Adebo could step right back into the starting lineup with Newsome out, which tells you how thin the cornerback room is. He's coming straight off IR into a road game with no warm-up and a patched-together safety group behind him. Jalin Hyatt might also get a game-day elevation, a small win for a guy who has been grinding to get back on the field.

What to watch Sunday: who's actually lined up at safety next to the replacements, and how many snaps Adebo can handle in his first game back. If Houston works out early that the middle of the field is open, this could get ugly fast. Holland's next step is clearing the concussion protocol, and with no timeline given yet, the Giants will have to plan week to week.