NFL

Giants rookie tight end Theo Johnson lands on PUP list

The Giants rookies reported to training camp Tuesday and one of them, tight end Theo Johnson, arrived with a hip flexor issue and was placed on the physically unable to perform list.

The extent of the injury is not known but this is not expected to be a long-term setback.

Johnson can work with the trainers on the side while on the PUP list and can come off the list whenever he is deemed ready to take the field.

Theo Johnson
Theo Johnson AP

The rookies are in for a week in advance of the July 23 reporting date for the veterans. The first full-squad practice is July 24.

Johnson, selected out of Penn State in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, is expected to compete for immediate playing time and possibly a starting role alongside Daniel Bellinger, who returns for his third season with the Giants.

There is an opening at the position with the retirement of Darren Waller.

Johnson has great size (6-foot-6, 259 pounds) and stood out athletically at the NFL scouting combine. In 44 games (29 starts) in college, he had 77 receptions for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns.