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Collin Johnson’s breakout Giants camp was derailed Wednesday afternoon when the wide receiver was carted off the field after suffering a season-ending torn Achilles.

While taking first-team reps, which the 24-year-old had done throughout an impressive training camp, Johnson collapsed following a non-contact play. Trainers immediately came over to tend to the Texas product, taking off his right cleat as his Giants teammates’ reactions indicated the severity of the injury.

The injuries continue to pile up for the Giants, but the loss of Johnson for the season is even more disappointing given how he has impressed this training camp.


  Collin Johnson was carted off from practice on Wednesday with an Achilles injury. Noah K. Murray Collin Johnson was carted off from practice on Wednesday with an Achilles injury. Noah K. Murray

Johnson, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jaguars before they waived him last August, had been closing in on a role within the Giants offense. He caught seven passes for a team-high 82 yards in the preseason opener against the Patriots before a three-catch performance against the Bengals on Sunday.

“The guys that have been out there and producing, Collin Johnson, David Sills, they’ve stepped their game up,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said earlier this week. “And they’re right in the mix, not just to make a team but to play.”

In 12 games with the Giants last season (one start), Johnson had 11 catches for 105 yards. He has 26 receptions for 377 yards with two touchdowns in 26 career NFL games.

“I learned a lot,” Johnson said last week. “Not everything goes your way. But at the end of the day, I feel like a lot of people try to put periods in your life when it’s supposed to be a comma. So when I got cut from the Jags, I never had like a ‘woe is me’ mentality, it was just a comma in my life, and there’s a lot more that’s being written now.

“I feel like I’m just getting started and gonna continue to work hard.”

Without Johnson, the remaining internal competition for the final receiver spots on the roster will be between David Sills, Alex Bachman and Richie James. Bachman, who led the Giants with 11 receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals, may have had an injury scare of his own during 1-on-1 drills against cornerbacks on Wednesday. He went down and limped a bit before grabbing at the back of his foot.

Additionally, the Giants claimed off waivers two wide receivers, who were recently let go by the Ravens, to restock the position in wake of Johnson’s injury: Jaylon Moore and Bailey Gather. Neither player has appeared in an NFL regular-season game.

The Giants also claimed CB Harrison Hand off waivers from the Vikings. Hand played in 23 games (one start) the past two seasons. To make room on the roster, Johnson and WR Marcus Kemp were put on injured reserve and veteran TE Jordan Akins was cut.

Nearly three seasons removed from his time with the Jets, defensive tackle Leonard Williams said he views the Giants’ crosstown rivals as just another NFL team.


  Leonard Williams isn’t viewing the Giants’ practice with the Jets as much of a reunion. Noah K. Murray Leonard Williams isn’t viewing the Giants’ practice with the Jets as much of a reunion. Noah K. Murray

“I look at it the same as every joint practice, you know?” Williams said ahead of the second annual Army Flag Football Game between the Jets and Giants at MetLife Stadium on Thursday. “I know Quinnen [Williams] pretty well, so I’m excited to see him as a friend. Other than that, it’s been so many years since I’ve been there that I don’t really see it the same way any more.”

TE Tanner Hudson, released Tuesday by the 49ers, worked out for the Giants on Wednesday morning and is expected to sign. Hudson, 27, has appeared in 22 games the past three years for the Buccaneers and 49ers, catching five passes for 67 yards.

— Additional reporting by Paul Schwartz

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