The New York Giants fielded a formidable safety duo throughout much of the 2022 season. The combination of captain, and green dot wearer, Xavier McKinney with Julian Love provided Big Blue with versatile defensive backs who possessed considerable functional bandwidth.
A bye-week hand injury sustained by McKinney stifled the upside of the defense, not only due to the loss of McKinney, but the loss of Love out of his flexible role. Without McKinney, the Giants leaned on rookie Dane Belton and special teams defender Jason Pinnock.
Belton reportedly reinjured his collarbone after the bye week, which limited his snaps, and Pinnock was adequate in relief of McKinney.