Giants place LB Dyontae Johnson on IR, sign LB Curtis Bolton

The New York Giants made a pair of roster moves Wednesday evening as they continue to shuffle their roster in advance of the 2024 regular season.

The Giants placed linebacker Dyontae Johnson on injured reserve. Since Johnson was on the initial 53-man roster he can be designated to return during the season if the Giants choose to do so. That was quickly followed by signing linebacker Curtis Bolton to their 53-man roster in a corresponding move.

Johnson, who signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Toledo following the 2023 NFL Draft, made a name for himself early this summer. Johnson stood out in training camp and looked to become a primary depth piece in the Giants’ linebacking corps. He impressed the coaches enough that he was given the start at middle linebacker in the first preseason game.

He immediately made his presence felt with multiple big plays, starting with a sack on the Lions’ second play of the game.

Unfortunately, Johnson exited the game late in the third quarter with an ankle injury. While he was initially ruled week-to-week, it seems he’s going to miss more time than previously anticipated.

The Giants filled Johnson’s roster spot by signing Curtis Bolton, a third-year player who has previously spent time with the Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders. Bolton has almost exclusively played special teams in the NFL, with just 16 defensive snaps in 23 career games — 15 of which came last year.