New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips received a punishment for an unsafe action during the Week 16 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The NFL league announced Saturday that Phillips was fined $7,293 for unnecessary roughness and pulling a player off a pile in the second quarter with 7:28 remaining.
One Viking was also punished out of the game. The league announced safety Harrison Smith was fined $17,389 for a hit on the quarterback that was a blow to the head and neck.
The Vikings (7-8) defeated the Giants (2-13) by a score of 16-13.
Phillips was fined earlier in the year as well. He received $7,292 fine after Week 13 for unnecessary roughness/hitting a defenseless player following the New England Patriots game.
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 21: Eric Wilson #55 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium on December 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Wilson was called of roughing the passer on the play. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Giants Are Preparing for ‘Tank Bowl’
The Giants will face the Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) in Week 17 in what’s being dubbed the “Tank Bowl,” with the loser likely securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Both teams have ruled out several key contributors ahead of Sunday afternoon’s much-anticipated matchup.
The Giants placed multiple starters on injured reserve this week, including left tackle Andrew Thomas, center John Michael Schmitz, safety Tyler Nubin and defensive lineman D.J. Davidson.
To fill those roster spots, New York signed center Bryan Hudson, kicker Ben Sauls, defensive tackle Elijah Chatman and safety Raheem Layne. The Giants also elevated running back Dante “Turbo” Miller and tight end Zach Davidson from the practice squad.
The offensive line has been hit especially hard. Schmitz is also dealing with a finger injury, leaving the interior of the line gutted and forcing the Giants to scramble for protection in front of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart while trying to maintain any semblance of a running game.
The defense hasn’t fared much better. Davidson and Nubin are both sidelined with neck injuries, creating holes in the trenches and secondary that will be filled by inexperienced backups. Star pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux remains out for the season, further limiting New York’s defensive firepower.
Depth issues extend to the tight end room as well, with Theo Johnson unavailable due to illness and lingering questions surrounding Cor’Dale Flott and Josh Ezeudu. As injuries continue to mount, the Giants enter Sunday’s matchup severely depleted on both sides of the ball.
Giants Searching for New Head Coach
The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll after a 2-8 start to the season, but decided to keep general manager Joe Schoen.
The betting odds favorite to land the job is Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula. It was once thought that Mike McCarthy would return to the NFL to coach the Dallas Cowboys‘ division rival, but he has since fallen to fifth. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is one of the favorites as well. He is a New Jersey native.
Here are some coaching odds, according to DraftKings Sportsbook:
Chris Shula: +500
Klint Kubiak: +650
Jeff Hafley: +650
Kliff Kingsbury: +900
Mike McCarthy: +1000
Lou Anarumo: +1000
Mike Kafka: +1200
Marcus Freeman: +1200
Jon Gruden: +1400
Jesse Minter: +1400
Steve Spagnuolo: +1400
Brian Flores: +1600
Bill Belichick: +2000
Robert Saleh: +2000
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