TAMPA — The promotion of a rookie into the starting lineup this early in a season is usually big news. It happened for linebacker Ryan Connelly but the Giants lost, again. Before long, the ascension of another rookie, Daniel Jones, at another position, quarterback, surfaced as the breaking news.
Connelly, a fifth-round draft pick from Wisconsin, came off the bench and played 26 of the 68 defensive snaps in the opener against the Cowboys. That was enough for the coaching staff to move him up and send opening-day starter Tae Davis to the sideline. Connelly started and played 64 of the 76 defensive snaps in a 28-14 loss to the Bills.