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The New York Giants are decimated at a key position after two more injuries in the preseason.

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The New York Giants’ inside linebacker roster is decimated after last season’s starter Micah McFadden was one of two players to suffer injuries in the preseason against the Houston Texans.

McFadden was carried off the field with hip problems during the 28-10 loss in Week 2 on Saturday, August 17. He was joined shortly thereafter by fellow linebacker Matthew Adams, who succumbed to a groin injury.

Both injuries mean that “the Giants’ ILB depth chart is taking on water,” according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, noting that “Dyontae Johnson is already out with an ankle injury (involving a boot on Thursday).”

Duggan’s concern is valid, but the Giants also lost a player at another key position in the front seven that lacks quality, a position that is arguably more concerning than the heart of the linebacker corps.

Micah McFadden’s injury is the latest challenge for ILB

McFadden already faced a tough challenge to keep his spot as the starter alongside Bobby Okereke. Part of the challenge came from Dyontae Johnson, who was used in creative ways by new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

Due to the ankle issues Johnson suffered in Week 1 of the preseason against the Detroit Lions, the Giants were desperate for options. The experienced Adams was a viable alternative, but his injury means the Giants will have to expand their search for reinforcements at linebacker.

That search could also include incumbent Carter Coughlin, who is battling a lower-body injury in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, leaving this year’s sixth-round pick Darius Muasau, who has been compared to an All-Pro, looking to see more playing time.

The numbers are dwindling for a team that still plays some version of the 3-4 defense. It’s a linebacker-led front, but up front the picture could be bleaker.

Injury increases question marks in the Giants’ defensive line

According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, the defensive tackle position is slowly becoming weaker after Ryder Anderson suffered a hamstring injury in the game against the Texans.

Anderson was expected to be part of the group that provided strong depth on the interior, even after the Giants traded offseason signing Jordan Phillips to NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys.

There are other linemen on the roster, but Big Blue lacks proven players. Instead, Anderson’s fellow undrafted free agent Elijah Chatman is in the rotation, comparing favorably to a former Giants starter.

Chatman can compete for reps with nose tackle Jordon Riley, a seventh-round pick in 2023. There’s also DJ Davidson, a fifth-round pick in 2022. He’s joined by this year’s rookie free agent Casey Rogers.

Late draft picks and undrafted unknowns don’t provide the greatest depth behind obvious starters Dexter Lawrence II and Rakeem-Nunez Roches. Lawrence is a dominant All-Pro, but he’ll need better support if he doesn’t want to be the focus of double and triple coverage every week.

Maintaining Lawrence’s ability to ruin the game isn’t the only priority for the Giants’ questionable D-line. The group also needs to keep the linebackers away from players.

These linebackers will need even more support as the talent pool continues to decline and squad density increases disproportionately.

James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world football since 2011 and has worked for FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko