NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Why New York Giants Put Theo Johnson on PUP List to Open Training Camp

Penn State Football, Theo Johnson

New York Giants rookie, and former Penn State Football tight end Theo Johnson will begin his first training camp on the team’s Physically Unable to Perform List.

Penn State Football, Penn State Football Recruiting
Penn State Nittany Lions Tight End Theo Johnson (84) (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

The team announced the move on January 16, noting that Johnson is battling through a hip flexor injury, after participating in the Giants’ offseason program, OTAs and minicamp practices.

Johnson, chosen by the Giants with the No. 107 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, could push Daniel Bellinger for New York’s starting tight end job once he’s healthy enough to return.

Players, such as Johnson, who are on the PUP list are typically put on the list because of football injuries and are allowed to participate in team activities but not permitted to practice until they are activated from the list.

<< SHOP LATEST PENN STATE DEALS ON AMAZON >>


Exploring Theo Johnson’s Role in New York Giants’ Offense

New York hopes that Johnson can become a steady presence in the passing game, in addition to a potentially dynamic receiving corps headlined by No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers, as well as young and emerging weapons Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson.

“He’s smart,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters, of Johnson, earlier this spring. “He’s a young professional, a true pro, loves the game. Has good size. Can bend. Can run. Obviously tested really well. But had a really good pro day, too, at Penn State, moving around, running his routes, hitting the bag. You can only get so much out of it. You can tell his bend, you can tell he’s athletic. He’s a good guy we thought we could work with.”

Across four seasons in Happy Valley, before getting drafted by the Giants, Johnson caught 77 passes for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns, while averaging 12.2 yards per reception.

The Giants are set to take the field for the first time during training camp on July 24, but it remains to be seen if Johnson will be able to participate with his teammates.

MORE: Penn State’s Defensive Players With Most at Stake During Fall Camp

What happens next for Penn State Football? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Penn State news delivered to your inbox daily!

A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission
Follow Dan
Penn State Football Reporter at NittanyCentral
Fisher covers Penn State Football for NittanyCentral. In addition to his work for NittanyCentral, Fisher also writes for a few other sports outlets: Gridiron Heroics, where he covers college football and the NFL, and Stadium Rant, where he is a head editor and covers all major and college sports.
Daniel Fisher
Follow Dan
Why New York Giants Put Theo Johnson on PUP List to Open Training Camp
Scroll to top