Jason

Pinnock

Pinnock was with the Giants from 2022 to 2024 and now returns to the team that gave him his first crack as a full-time starter. The veteran safety spent last season with the 49ers, starting seven of the 17 games he appeared in while totaling 41 tackles and one TFL. In his previous two seasons, Pinnock started all 32 games he appeared in, amassing over 160 tackles while also totaling five sacks and two interceptions over that span. Pinnock could get a chance to reprise his role as a starter for the Giants under John Harbaugh this upcoming season.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC the deal is fully guaranteed. Pinnock, 25, finished the 2024 season with 85 tackles and three sacks, and intercepted a pair of passes a season earlier. He’ll likely see plenty of time for the 49ers in the defensive backfield.

Cole’s absence opens up opportunity for Elijah Moore, who is now likely to be a full time player in Week 1. With Jamison Crowder also inactive, the Jets passing offense should be highly concentrated to Corey Davis and Elijah Moore. Braxton Berrios will likely see snaps in the slot when Moore plays outside. Denzel Mims will likely play outside when Moore is in the slot. Tyler Kroft also becomes interesting as a desperation tight end play. Also inactive for the Jets are RB Josh Adams, RB La’Mical Perine, LB Quincy Wilson, CB, Jason Pinnock and DL Jonathan Marshall.

Pinnock (6'1/204) contributed to the Pitt secondary for three seasons. Pinnock is a stellar athlete. His 4.49 40-yard dash is nothing of note, but Pinnock cleared the 60th percentile in the three-cone, short shuttle, and both jump drills. Pinnock too often plays high in his stance and does not do well to keep his weight over his feet, making it tough for him to transition smoothly despite his athletic traits. Pinnock was often at his best when allowed to just ride wide receivers vertically up the sideline because he was comfortably just running and sliding into the hip pocket, and his ball skills are decent (19 PBUs). The rookie will fight for a starting spot in a New York secondary graded by PFF as 2020’s third worst coverage unit.

Pinnock (6'0/200) has been a fixture in the starting lineup for the Panthers this season, as he has started each of the team’s games. But that won’t be the case Saturday, as the senior cornerback was left at home due to a violation of team rules. What makes matters even worse for the Panthers is that they’ll be without both starting corners, as Paris Ford opted out of the remainder of this season earlier in the week. Sophomore A.J. Woods is likely to stop opposite Marquis Williams.

Pinnock (6'0/200) and fellow junior starter Damarri Mathis both missed the Panthers’ final defensive series of the game due to injury, resulting in Erick Hallett filling in at nickel and Therran Coleman playing opposite Dane Jackson on the outside. The junior cornerback’s status for Saturday’s game vs. Delaware is unknown at this time, but if Pinnock is unable to go hopefully he’ll be ready for Pitt’s October 5 game at Duke. Given how tight the Coastal projects to be, and Pitt has already lost to preseason division favorite Virginia, that sets up to be a big game for both teams.