Rhett

Ellison

Ellison missed the final six games of 2019 with a months-long concussion. He wasn’t going to be back with the Giants at his $7.18 million cap hit, but there would have been a market for Ellison in free agency. Ellison spent most of his career blocking, but he managed a 118/1,189/7 line over eight seasons. His retirement clears $5 million in cap space for the Giants.

Ellison’s 2018 was also cut short by a head injury. Last year, he went down in Week 11 before suffering a setback ahead of Week 16. Scary stuff. If the 31-year-old decides to continue playing, he will either be released or subject to re-negotiation. He is currently set to count an untenable $7.18 million against the cap. The Giants would save $5 million by cutting him loose.

Ellison’s future is likely tied to Pat Shurmur. Even if Shurmur doesn’t get fired, releasing Ellison would create $5 million in cap space.

Ellison’s absence means Kaden Smith will start for the sixth straight week and likely play a near every-down role. The return of Evan Engram (foot, IR) in 2020 will relegate both Ellison and Smith back to the bench. The Giants activated DT Chris Slayton from the practice squad in a corresponding roster move.

With Scott Simonson (concussion) also ruled out for Sunday’s finale, the Giants are expected to promote Garrett Dickerson from their practice squad. Kaden Smith will draw another start at tight end—his sixth straight—as the Giants close out their 2019 campaign in East Rutherford.

Ellison appears headed for his sixth straight absence. Rookie Kaden Smith will continue to hold down the tight-end fort for New York Sunday against the Eagles. Coming off a two-touchdown eruption in last week’s win over Washington, Smith is very much in the Week 17 streaming discussion.

Ellison will miss his fifth straight game in the concussion protocol. Also inactive are QB Alex Tanney, RB Wayne Gallman, OL Chad Slade, DB Rashaan Gaulden, OT Eric Smith, and WR David Sills.

Ellison went from full practice to limited participation to being out, all in a span of two days. Clearly his concussion symptoms have resurfaced. With only two games remaining, it’s safe to assume we won’t be seeing Ellison again in 2019. With Evan Engram (foot) on injured reserve, the Giants will turn to Kaden Smith at tight end Sunday in Washington. He’ll carry low-end streaming appeal in a favorable matchup.

Ellison’s limited reps Thursday are a mild concern following Wednesday’s full session. It’s unclear if he suffered a recurrence of concussion symptoms or if this was the Giants’ plan for him all along. Ellison currently stands atop New York’s tight end pecking order with Evan Engram lost to season-ending foot surgery. If Ellison can’t clear protocol in time for Week 16, rookie Kaden Smith would draw another start Sunday at Washington.

It will be Engram’s fifth straight absence. He hasn’t made much progress in his recovery from a sprained foot and could be headed for a shutdown in the near future. Rhett Ellison (concussion) will also miss this game, leaving tight end responsibilities in the hands of rookie Kaden Smith. In a great matchup, Smith will at least be in the streaming conversation for Week 15.