Fred

Robbins

He was the only New York player unable to practice on Tuesday.

Robbins, formerly of the Vikins, is primarily a run-stuffer.

The moves clear roughly $6.5 million in cap space. Robbins was due $3.75 million in 2012 after notching 29 tackles and one sack in 497 snaps last season. He graded out as the 18th best defensive tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus, and is just one year removed from a six-sack campaign. Signed to a three-year deal last July, Bannan notched 32 tackles in 15 games.

Robbins will be evaluated Monday.

If Robbins can’t play, William Joseph will start in his place.

Other Giant inactives are QB Jesse Palmer (3rd QB), S Curry Burns, RB Derrick Ward, LB T.J. Hollowell, T/G Greg Walker, OL Marques Sullivan and WR Willie Ponder.

It’s a position Robbins dominated in 2006-2008 for Steve Spagnuolo’s Giants defenses. Robbins, though, had microfracture surgery following the 2008 season, and returned as a shell of himself last year, managing just two sacks in 16 games. It remains to be seen if the 33-year-old has anything left.

The Penn State product will have a chance to play right away in New York. Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield are currently projected as starters.

Coughlin did add that Robbins recovery is on schedule. Still, the Giants may let the 32-year-old slowly work his way back after adding significant depth to the line with the additions of Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard.

This explains why the Jints forked out $58M combined to Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. Robbins, who hasn’t practiced yet this offseason, was initially said to be recovering from a simple scope. With so much depth on the defensive line, perhaps the Giants will keep Robbins on PUP into the year.