Giants' Dane Belton: Nabs two pickoffs in second season
Rotowire
Belton played in all 17 games in the 2023 campaign, totaling 33 tackles (22 solo), including a sack, along with two interceptions.
Belton's role fluctuated throughout the season, and he saw most of his work on special teams until Jason Pinnock's toe injury early in Week 17 allowed room for Belton to get an extended opportunity at the end of the campaign. The 2022 fourth-round pick shined with a pair of interceptions after Pinnock left that Week 17 game against the Rams, but the overall sample size over the course of the season was likely too small for New York to develop a definitive perspective of Belton's ability to move up to a larger full-time role. There may be a hole for the Giants to fill at safety if Xavier McKinney leaves in free agency, though in that scenario they may look outside the organization for a replacement.
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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
Rotowire
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.
