Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE
After getting the start in Week 1, linebacker Keith Rivers has been listed as doubtful for the New York Giants’ Week 2 meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is unlikely to play.
Rivers was a rare bright spot on the Giants’ defensive unit against the Dallas Cowboys, recording seven tackles in the Wednesday night opener. Unfortunately, Rivers suffered a hamstring early on and was forced to miss the remainder of the game.
Now, it appears, he will be out for Sunday’s game as well.
The former first-rounder was acquired in the offseason from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in the 2012 NFL draft. His role with the team was uncertain, but Rivers has spent most of his time at the weakside linebacker position behind Michael Boley.
Rivers had underperformed during his time with the Bengals, making him expendable, but has shown positive signs since joining the Giants in camp and in the season opener. Rivers’ injury was not expected to be something that would keep him out of the Giants’ faceoff with the Bucs, so his status for the game came as a bit of a surprise.
His absence could be a devastating blow to a linebacker group already short on reserves heading into a big game that many would consider a must-win situation for the Giants.
With Boley still hampered by a hamstring injury of his own, it’s possible Jacquian Williams and Spencer Paysinger could see some snaps at weakside linebacker as well.
Louis Musto is a New York Giants Featured Columnist for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.
