The Giants will receive an offensive boost on Sunday when running back Rashad Jennings returns from an knee injury that forced him to miss four games. However, they’ll be without another veteran ball-carrier, as the club has placed Peyton Hillis on injured reserve (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports). Hillis suffered a concussion during last Sunday’s game against the Seahawks and hasn’t practiced since, and New York evidently felt his symptoms were severe enough to end his season. To replace Hillis on the 53-man roster, the Giants have promoted linebacker Justin Anderson from the practice squad, according to Jordan Raanan of the NJ.com (via Twitter).
Hillis, 29 in January, signed with the Giants in October 2013. Prior to his arrival in New York, the 2008 seventh-round pick had spent time with the Broncos, Browns, Chiefs, and Buccaneers. His most notable season was 2010, when he rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 61 receptions for another 477 yards. This season, Hillis had seen 115 offensive snaps as he teamed with Andre Williams to fill in for Jennings. He’s due $870K in base salary in 2015, and with bonuses pushing his cap figure to $945K, it’s no guarantee he’ll return to the Giants next season.
Meanwhile, Anderson will add depth to a linebacking unit that will be without injured weak-side starter Jacquian Williams on Sunday. Even after adding Anderson, the Giants will field only five healthy LBs for tomorrow’s game, so presuming he’s active, there’s a chance Anderson sees a handful of snaps, at least on special teams. The rookie out of Louisiana-Lafayette has been on New York’s practice squad since late October.