Giants' Dane Belton: Shows improvement in third season
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Belton recorded 56 tackles (28 solo), including 1.0 sacks, along with six pass defenses (one of which was an interception) and a forced fumble over 17 games (six starts) during the 2024 campaign.
Belton began the season as a backup but ultimately made six starts, including the final four contests of the campaign. His tackle and defensed-passes totals were career-high marks. Belton lost out to rookie Tyler Nubin on a chance for a starting role coming out of training camp, and he moved into the starting lineup at the conclusion of the campaign only when Nubin's season came to an early end due to an ankle injury. With that said, Belton did make positive strides when he got opportunities. Nubin was a standout as a rookie and should be healthy by the beginning of training camp, but Belton -- who will be in the final year of his rookie contract -- could be given an opportunity to earn a starting role opposite him if Jason Pinnock departs in free agency.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Nabs first pickoff of campaign
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Belton recorded eight tackles (seven solo) and two pass defenses, including an interception, in Sunday's 45-33 Week 17 victory against Indianapolis.
The highlight of Belton's performance was an interception of Joe Flacco on New York's six-yard line on the Colts' first drive of the game. It was the third-year safety's first interception of the season and the fifth of his career. Belton also posted his second-highest tackle total of the season with his eight stops.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Logs full practice Thursday
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Belton (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
Belton was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, but he appears to be past the issue as he was able to log a full practice Thursday. Unless he suffers a setback, the third-year safety should be able to suit up against Michael Penix and the Falcons on Sunday. Belton is coming off a career-best 15-tackle performance against the Ravens this past Sunday.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Racks up 15 stops vs. Ravens
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Belton finished Sunday's 35-14 loss to Baltimore with 15 tackles (seven solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one defensed pass.
It was a rough day for New York's defense as a whole, but Belton was active with a career-high 15 stops. Among the tackles was a fourth-quarter sack of backup Ravens QB Josh Johnson, which was the second sack of Belton's career. Belton started Sunday as a result of Tyler Nubin being lost for the season due to an ankle injury.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Drawing Week 10 start
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Belton is slated to start at safety in Sunday's game against the Panthers in Munich, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Belton and Tyler Nubin will operate as New York's primary safeties due to Jason Pinnock (abdomen) being inactive for the first time this season. Through the first nine contests, Belton has tallied 14 tackles and one pass breakup while seeing the majority of his snaps on special teams.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Ready for Week 1
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Belton (back) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Vikings, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
The third-year safety out of Iowa was limited earlier in the week with a back injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. Belton is expected to line up as New York's top strong safety in 2024 after posting 33 total tackles, including 1.0 sack, and two interceptions across 17 regular-season games last season.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Working through injury
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Belton (back) is limited in practice Wednesday, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.
Belton had been competing with rookie Tyler Nubin for the team's starting strong safety job and was believed to have won the competition. However, his current injury could see him have to hand that role to Nubin for Week 1 against the Vikings if he is unable to suit up for the contest.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Competing for starting role
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Belton is competing with rookie Tyler Nubin for the Giants' starting strong safety position, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.
Belton didn't see much of the field during his first two seasons in the NFL, playing behind All-Pro caliber safety Xavier McKinney. Now that McKinney is out of New York, Belton has the opportunity to win a starting role in the Giants' secondary. According to Dunleavy, the third-year safety has been playing with the Giants' first-team defense since OTAs and has impressed with his ball-hawking abilities. Nubin, Belton's main competition for a starting spot, is now dealing with a hamstring issue as well. If Nubin continues to miss time with this injury, Belton could run away with the Giants' top strong safety spot.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Will play Sunday
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Belton (shoulder) is active Sunday against the Commanders.
Belton is expected to draw the start at free safety for the Giants on Sunday. The rookie's role has varied throughout the season, but his opportunities should increase as long as he remains healthy, with Xavier McKinney (hand) sidelined.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Notches first career interception
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Belton tallied four tackles (two solo) and an interception in Sunday's Week 10 victory against the Texans.
Belton got the start Sunday in place of the injured Xavier McKinney (hand), and he made the most of the opportunity with a big interception in the end zone as Houston was driving early in the fourth quarter. The pick was the first of Belton's NFL career and highlighted the nose for the ball he displayed in intercepting five passes for Iowa last season. Belton should be in line for extended run while McKinney remains out of action, which will be for at least three more weeks.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Unlikely to play Sunday
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Belton (collarbone) is not expected to play in Sunday's season opener against Tennessee, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Belton is officially listed as questionable on the injury report, but he has yet to practice without a non-contact jersey, making it unlikely that he'll be available for Sunday's contest. As another indication of Belton's expected absence, the Giants activated safety Tony Jefferson from the practice squad Saturday. If he does indeed sit out Week 1, Belton could make his NFL debut in New York's home opener against Carolina next Sunday.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Aiming to be ready by Week 1
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Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday that he's hopeful Belton (collarbone) will be ready for Week 1, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
Belton recently returned to individual drills for the first time since fracturing his collarbone at the beginning of training camp. He was initially expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks, but it sounds like he could return on the early side of that estimate. The Giants only kept three safeties (including Belton) on their initial 53-man roster, so New York will likely have to make a move if anything changes to Belton's status on the negative side.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Remains out
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Belton (collarbone) has been ruled out for Sunday's preseason finale against the Jets, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Belton fractured his collarbone at the beginning of August, but he was able to avoid surgery, suggesting he could possibly return by the start of the regular season. However, the initial return timetable may have been a bit too optimistic as the rookie has remained sidelined throughout training camp. Once healthy, the 21-year-old could be in store for a solid depth role after impressing during the early stages of training camp.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Won't need surgery
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Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Tuesday that Belton (collarbone) won't need surgery and isn't certain to begin the year on injured reserve, Lance Meadow of SiriusXM reports.
Belton fractured his collarbone during Saturday's practice, but the team is holding out hope that the rookie fourth-round draft pick can recover quickly and be ready for the start of the regular season. That's far from a certainty, but Belton's ability to avoid surgery at least makes the scenario a possibility. The 21-year-old was making a strong impression in camp, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com, and he's been expected to open the campaign as the team's third safety.
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Giants' Dane Belton: Likely to miss 6-8 weeks
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Belton suffered a fractured collarbone and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, Art Stapleton of The Record Sports reports.
Belton was seen wearing a sling Monday, but this update clarifies the nature and severity of his injury. The rookie safety's absence will likely linger into the regular season, and the Giants would need to keep Belton on their 53-man roster for him to be eligible to return in late September.
