SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants yells at defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins #95 of the New York Giants as he comes off the field during the first quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 9, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (95) left the first quarter of the team's Week 9 game against the Tamp Bay Buccaneers with a torn pectoral muscle. Otto Greule Jr. Getty Images
After placing defensive captain and middle linebacker Jon Beason on injured reserve earlier this week, the Giants may have to do the same thing with defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. The veteran defensive tackle left the first quarter of the Giants' Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and ESPN's Dan Graziano is reporting that Hankins has a torn pectoral muscle.
The Giants have also confirmed the report.
Hankins is not the first Giant to tear his pectoral muscle in 2015 -- incumbent left tackle Will Beatty suffered the same injury back in May, and he has still not played this season. Hankins is almost certainly out for the remainder of the 2015 season.
Hankins is arguably the Giants' best remaining defensive player. In 2014, he was named Pro Football Focus' 69th-best player overall, topping all other Giants defenders in their rankings.
Entering Week 9, the New York Giants' defense was on pace to allow the second-most total offensive yards in NFL history, and injuries have definitely played a key role in that. Things could get worse going forward without Beason and Hankins.
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