Former Notre Dame WR on the verge of starting as a rookie for the New York Giants
It's starting to look like he won't just make the team, that he could be a starter. The Big Blue Film Room social media account recently pointed out that not only is Collins getting solid run, he's getting first-team reps. They quoted Jordan Raanan, ESPN's Giants beat reporter, as he said 'you are getting first-team reps, that means something, at this point in the summer.'
Part of this development with the Giants is that Malik Nabers has been out with an injury, but Collins is still taking full advantage of the opportunity. It remains to be seen what happens when his teammate returns, but you have to believe the organization is very happy with his emergence during fall camp.
It's quite the journey that Collins has taken to get to this point in his career, after playing his first three years at Clemson, before finishing his collegiate eligibility with the Irish. It was a solid last year with Notre Dame, as Collins caught 41 passes for 490 yards and three scores.
He'll get another chance later tonight to try and secure a spot with the Giants, as they host the New York Jets in their second preseason game of the year.
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Brian Robinson trade destinations: 49ers, Cowboys among best fits
Brian Robinson has been a key part of the Washington Commanders' rushing attack since the team selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That could change ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reports the Commanders are "shopping" Robinson to teams around the league. Robinson (6-1, 228 pounds) is coming off a season that saw him post career-highs in rushing yards (799), rushing touchdowns (8) and yards per carry (4.3). The big-bodied bruiser served as the leader of Washington's backfield-by-committee approach, which also featured Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. The Commanders retained all four of those backs for 2025 and also added seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt to the mix. Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract, worth a base value of just over $3.4 million, so Washington might be attempting to trade him to thin a crowded running back room and retain value for the free agent-to-be. Will the Commanders be able to find a taker for Robinson? Here's a look at a few teams that could hold interest in the 26-year-old running back. San Francisco 49ers The 49ers have a great lead back in Christian McCaffrey, but they could use depth behind the 29-year-old star. Projected backup Isaac Guerendo and fifth-round rookie Jordan James are both dealing with injuries that could impact their early season availability. Robinson's mix of size and power would complement McCaffrey – a more elusive runner – well. Commanders general manager Adam Peters also used to work in the 49ers' front office, so perhaps that could help get a deal done. Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys are projected to rely on a committee of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders at running back early in the season. The two combined for 718 yards and six touchdowns on 194 carries last season; by comparison, Robinson totaled 799 yards and eight touchdowns himself on 187 carries. As such, Robinson would represent a big upgrade for the Cowboys. But would Washington be willing to trade one of its leading rushers to a divisional rival? The Commanders would probably like to send Robinson somewhere else if they trade him, but if Dallas has the best offer, they could consider it. TRADE DESTINATIONS: Texans, Eagles among best fits for Trey Hendrickson Houston Texans Joe Mixon's status for Week 1 is uncertain as he deals with a foot injury. Houston signed Nick Chubb in free agency, but it isn't clear whether he will be able to handle a full workload as he continues to come back from a catastrophic knee injury that limited him to a career-worst 3.3 yards per carry last season. The Texans could rely on Dameon Pierce and rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks to help support Chubb, but acquiring a proven runner to support C.J. Stroud might be the better move. Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl last season despite Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt averaging 3.7 and 3.6 yards per carry, respectively, during the season. Pacheco might bounce back as he gets further removed from a broken leg, but adding Robinson as insurance wouldn't be a bad move for the Chiefs. Robinson's hard-nosed running style would fit the mold the Chiefs have sought in running backs in recent seasons. He's also bigger than both Pacheco and Hunt and could help keep the more explosive Pacheco fresh as part of a rotation. Los Angeles Chargers Is Najee Harris healthy after he suffered an eye injury in a fireworks accident? Are Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman willing to trust Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins to play in tandem with first-round rookie Omarion Hampton until Harris can return? If the answer to either of those questions is no, the Chargers might look to add a veteran running back to provide extra depth in their run-heavy offense. Robinson would be a great, like-for-like replacement for his former Alabama teammate Harris and could allow Los Angeles to slow-play the 2021 first-round pick's return.
New York Post
23 minutes ago
- New York Post
The latest on Andrew Thomas, Malik Nabers injuries as Giants prep for preseason finale
Access the Giants like never before Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers. tRY IT NOW Russell Wilson was full of enthusiasm following Saturday night's 31-12 preseason victory over the Jets, speaking glowingly about how the offense has operated in training camp and in two preseason games. 'The good part is we don't even have Malik Nabers out there yet,' Wilson said. 'He's had a great camp, so when he gets back out there too it will be really exciting for us.' Advertisement The question is this: When will Nabers get out there? The answer: The Giants fully expect him to be ready to roll for the Sept. 7 season opener in Washington. 5 Malik Nabers is pictured before the Giants' preseason game against the Jets on Aug. 16. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post Advertisement The Giants are being quite cautious with Nabers, knowing he is their one difference-maker on offense and their breakout star wide receiver. Nabers has not played in the first two preseason games and there are no plans to play him in the final preseason game, Thursday night against the Patriots. This is not a concern. Nabers is fine, a source said, and expected to handle his usual full load in the season opener. Advertisement He has missed time this summer with a lingering toe issue, went down hard on his shoulder in one practice and has more recently sat out with back tightness. None of these physical setbacks are alarming to the Giants — or to Nabers. He has missed time this summer with a lingering toe issue, went down hard on his shoulder in one practice and has more recently sat out with back tightness. 5 Malik Nabers looks to make a catch during the Giants' Aug. 6 practice. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post Advertisement 5 Brian Daboll talks to Malik Nabers during the Giants' Aug. 1 practice. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post None of these physical setbacks are alarming to the Giants — or to Nabers. 'Yeah, I'm doing fine,'' Nabers said earlier in camp. 'You know, the coaches and the training staff have a process of what they want me to do to be healthy for when we get ready to play, so I just got to do my job and follow the plan that they put ahead of me.'' The Giants will hold what coach Brian Daboll described as 'a good competitive padded practice'' on Tuesday. Does Andrew Thomas make it onto the field? Thomas, the starting left tackle and the team's most indispensable offensive lineman, remains on the physically unable to perform list following foot surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture. 5 Andrew Thomas is pictured during the Giants' Aug. 7 practice. Charles Wenzelberg Advertisement Time is running short for Thomas, as the season opener is three weeks away and it is clear he is not going to play in any of the three preseason games. The closer it gets to the games counting, the less likely it is that Daboll will put his team in pads in practice. Thomas once he is able to come off the PUP will need work to get into playing shape and there will not be many opportunities for him to get that work after this week. 'Getting better, so we'll take it day by day and see where we're at,'' Daboll said on Sunday, parroting what he has said about Thomas all spring and summer. 'Each day he gets a little bit better, so we'll make that decision when we think it's best for us and him. Advertisement 'He's on his rehab schedule and he's working hard to get back as quickly as he can.' 5 Andrew Thomas works out during the Giants' Aug. 7 practice. Charles Wenzelberg Giants general manager Joe Schoen at the start of training camp said he expected Thomas would be available to play in Week 1. Without Thomas, James Hudson III has worked at left tackle with the starting group. Advertisement Rookie Marcus Mbow, a fifth-round pick from Purdue, has primarily lined up at right tackle, but he has been given a look on the left side, and his performance has been impressive. Rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter in the second quarter got leveled on a chip block by TE Stone Smartt. When Carter got back to his feet, he got leveled again by OT Chukwuma Okorafor. Advertisement Go behind the scenes with Big Blue Sign up for Inside the Giants by Paul Schwartz, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters 'S–t just happens on the football field, but we got the win, so we're good,'' Carter said after the game. That clip made the rounds on social media and Carter was not impressed or amused. He responded to the video on Sunday, posting on his X account 'might be the only highlight of the Jets all season'' and calling the block on him a 'weak a– chip.''
Newsweek
24 minutes ago
- Newsweek
NFL World Buzzing About What Bears QB Caleb Williams Just Did
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Throughout the majority of the NFL offseason, there have been a lot of questions surrounding Chicago Bears' second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Not only were their questions, there was a lot of doubt. Fans have been ready to give up on Williams already, even after he flashed major potential during his rookie season with the team. Being a No. 1 overall pick comes with a lot of scrutiny. Williams has struggled at times during his work in training camp. Despite that fact, fans got their first look at him in Sunday night's preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 17, 2025 in Chicago,... Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 17, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois More Photo byWilliams ended up playing two series against the Bills. What he did in that period of time was nothing short of impressive. Read more: Packers Receive Brutal Injury Update Regarding Offensive Weapon ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter took to X to share his final numbers. Williams completed six of his 10 passes for 130 yards, one touchdown, and a 130.0 passer rating. It didn't take long for NFL fans to jump into Schefter's comments on his post about Williams. To say that there is a lot of hype now surrounding Williams again would be an understatement. "MVP loading," one fan wrote. A second fan commented, "Not bad for just two series. Imagine what he'd do with a full game. The kid's got talent." "He looked crazy good," a third fan chimed in. Another fan said, "Future Super Bowl champion." "I've been saying he better than burrow," a fifth comment read. There were plenty of comments that also pointed out the fact that Williams played a preseason game. No one should be taking too much positive or negative away from a preseason game. Even with that being said, it was a dominant showing from the young signal caller. The Bears feel very confident in him and have chosen to build around him. New head coach Ben Johnson should also help Williams level up during the 2025 season. Read more: Rams Again Connected to Major QB Trade Amid Matthew Stafford Uncertainty Only time will tell, but the start he had is good. It will undoubtedly help his confidence. Last season as a rookie, Williams completed 62.5 percent of his pass attempts for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also rushing for 489 yards on 81 attempts. Those numbers warranted much more patience than fans gave him after a few videos of him struggling in camp. It will be interesting to see what the 2025 season has in store for Williams. At least for tonight, he has silenced his critics with a very dominant showing in his second-year preseason debut. For more on the Chicago Bears and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
