The New York Giants could have one of the more dominant edge rusher rotations in the NFL this season, but a byproduct of their depth is that recent 2025 signing Victor Dimukeje could be cut.
When Dimukeje first inked a deal with the Giants back in March, he served as an immediate replacement for free agent departure Azeez Ojulari. But as the offseason went on, Big Blue ended up having Penn State phenom Abdul Carter fall into their laps in the draft, and it also appears that fellow free agent pickup Chauncey Golston will be utilized as an edge rusher, too.
It didn’t help that Dimukeje suffered a torn pectoral in early May that sidelined him for all of spring activities.
For these reasons, Big Blue View beat reporter Ed Valentine predicted that Dimukeje would be the odd man out at the roster cutdown following training camp and the preseason.
“In my initial projection, I listed Golston as a defensive lineman,” Valentine reasoned on June 19. Continuing: “He is wearing No. 57 and working with the edge defenders, though. I do think Golston will get moved around to a variety of spots during the season. Dimukeje (pectoral) did not practice all spring.”
Financially speaking, it would not make sense to cut Golston — who just signed a three-year, $18 million contract — over Dimukeje, so that’s not happening. And we know Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux aren’t going anywhere, unless the latter is traded.
That means keeping Dimukeje would mean keeping a fifth edge rusher for his special teams value. While this is certainly possible, Dimukeje’s early injury puts him way behind schedule in making the roster.
Victor Dimukeje’s Injury Could Save His Roster Chances
There is a world where Dimukeje’s injury actually saves him from getting cut by the Giants, but it would require him sitting out all of training camp and the preseason.
In this scenario, the Giants could then transfer Dimukeje to the PUP list and keep him with the organization at the roster cutdown (following the new injury rules), but there were some rumblings that the free agent addition could return for training camp.
While that’s good news for Dimukeje, overall, it could actually make it more difficult for him to stick with the team.
Having said that, as an athlete, you always want the opportunity to play and prove yourself. And Dimukeje won’t hold up his recovery timeline just to sneak onto the roster on an injury list.
Giants’ Roster Cut Decisions Will Be Difficult on Special Teams
Once Dimukeje returns, his best chance at making the roster is as a core special teamer.
According to Pro Football Reference, the outside linebacker logged 838 snaps on defense and 943 snaps on special teams throughout his tenure with the Arizona Cardinals. Dimukeje also graded out very well in the special teams department on Pro Football Focus, earning marks over 70.0 in each season from 2022 through 2024.
During his best graded campaign on special teams, Dimukeje was credited with 3 solo ST tackles and 1 tackle assist. He has been credited with 11 solo ST tackles and 3 tackle assists compared to 4 missed ST tackles over his four-year career.
It’s not just Dimukeje that the Giants brought in on special teams. Their backup linebackers are all well-versed in the ST department, too, making this an underratedly competitive roster battle this summer.
Valentine chose to cut inside linebackers and potential core special teamers Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Ty Summers and Dyontae Johnson in his most recent 53-man projection. He only kept Darius Muasau and Chris Board as the two backup middle linebackers and special teamers, although the assumption is that one of Summers, Johnson or Flannigan-Fowles would likely sign to the practice squad for depth.
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