Alec

Ogletree

Trevathan missed the first four games of the year with a knee injury. He returned to practice 10 days ago so he should not be dealing with any limitations in his first game back. Trevathan started all 16 games for the Bears last year but Alec Ogletree, who has been filling in for him, has played well in his absence. Ogletree totaled 12 combined tackles in Week 4 and broke up a Jared Goff pass on fourth down in the end zone. The Bears may choose to keep Ogletree out there until he gives them a reason to let Trevathan have his starting role back.

Ogletree, 30 next month, was the 30th overall pick by Jeff Fisher’s Rams in 2013. A former every-down linebacker, Ogletree was cut by the Giants last summer and appeared in just two games last year with the Jets. He played for current Bears LBs coach Bill McGovern with the G-Men.

It’s the first we’ve heard on Ogletree since his February release. Ogletree never lived up to his Giants contract, but it’s surprising there hasn’t been more interest. 28-year-old Ogletree has started every game he’s appeared in. Chicago also worked out free agents Devante Bond and Gabe Sewell.

Both moves were expected. Ogletree started 26 games for the Giants over the past two seasons, but never quite lived up to his big-money contract. Martin played in just five games in 2019 after starting seven games with mixed success in 2018. Currently no team has fewer 2020 cap dollars devoted to the defensive side of the ball than the Giants. Look for them to strongly consider utilizing the No. 4 overall pick of the 2020 draft on defense.

Ogletree has underachieved since joining the Giants in 2018 including this past season when he garnered PFF’s No. 38 grade out of 58 positional qualifiers at inside linebacker. Cutting Ogletree would leave behind $6.7 million in dead money but would also save New York $5.05 million against the cap. In addition to Ogletree, Raanan also expects the Giants to move on from LB Kareem Martin, S Antoine Bethea and TE Rhett Ellison.

Ogletree is owed a $10 million base salary in the third season of his four-year deal. The Giants like rookie Ryan Connelly as an in-house replacement for Ogletree, so they could cut ties this offseason. Releasing Ogletree would free $8.25 million in cap space and leave only $3.5 million in dead money.

It’s the first time he’s practiced in full since initially suffering the injury in Week 3. It’s a bright spot for the Giants as they’re fully expected to be without all of Saquon Barkley (ankle), Wayne Gallman (concussion), Sterling Shepard (concussion), and Evan Engram (knee) on the opposite side of the ball.

Barkley has a chance to play Week 6 and is probable for Week 7. Ogletree has been battling a hamstring strain this season.

The injury occurred in New York’s thrilling Week 3 victory over the Bucs. His final status will ultimately be determined on the team’s injury report, but he should at the very least be considered questionable for Week 4.

Ogletree has been sidelined by a calf strain he picked up in the first preseason game. He’s returned to individual drills and looks on track to be full-go ahead of Week 1. The Giants are counting on a rebound year from Ogletree after grading near the bottom of PFF’s ratings in 2018.