Giants DT Roy Robertson-Harris tears Achilles in OTAs, expected to miss the 2026 season
The second New York defensive lineman to suffer a season-ending injury this offseason. The Giants are now shorthanded up front as John Harbaugh installs his new scheme.
Roy Robertson-Harris tore his Achilles tendon during the Giants' OTA practice on Thursday. He is expected to miss the entire 2026 season. The 31-year-old defensive tackle started all 17 games for New York last year and entered this week's session working with the first-team defense.
What happened?
Robertson-Harris was running through a non-contact drill near the end of Thursday's practice when he pulled up and immediately motioned to the medical staff. He left the field under his own power but heavily favoring the leg. An MRI on Thursday evening confirmed a full Achilles tear. The recovery timeline for an NFL defensive lineman with this injury is 8 to 12 months.
What does the Giants' defensive line look like now?
Thin. Robertson-Harris signed a two-year, $9 million deal in 2025 and was the projected starting three-technique under new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's replacement. With Dexter Lawrence no longer in the building, the room now leans on second-year DT Elijah Chatman and free-agent signing Rakeem Nunez-Roches. The Giants may now revisit the veteran free-agent market as cap room allows.
Who else has the team lost?
Rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon tore his Achilles in OTAs last week. That makes Robertson-Harris the second Achilles tear for New York in eight days. Both are non-contact injuries during the early voluntary phase, the timing of which has fueled discussion about turf and tendon-load issues in the Giants' practice facility.
What did John Harbaugh say?
The first-year Giants head coach addressed the team Thursday before sharing the news with reporters. 'These are the moments that test us,' Harbaugh said. 'Roy is a leader. He's going to be in this building helping us through his rehab, and we're going to be ready for him in 2027.' Harbaugh declined to discuss potential replacement signings until the team has surveyed the market.
What's the broader 2026 outlook?
The Giants were already a 6.5-win team in Las Vegas. The defensive line was supposed to be a strength alongside edge rushers Brian Burns and rookie Abdul Carter. Robertson-Harris' absence reshapes the depth chart and likely forces the Giants to lean on Burns and Carter for early-down work more than they planned. The Vegas number could move down by half a win once books re-evaluate.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Source: Giants DL Roy Robertson-Harris tears Achilles
- NBC Sports: Robertson-Harris suffers torn Achilles at OTAs
- Big Blue View: Injury news: Giants DT Roy Robertson-Harris tears Achilles
- Empire Sports Media: Giants' injury update following day 3 of OTAs
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