Giants defensive captain Blake Martinez suffers torn ACL, out for season

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A brutal loss for the Giants got even worse less than a day later.

Defensive leader Blake Martinez has torn his ACL, two individuals with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NorthJersey.com and Paste BN Network on Monday morning.

The individuals were granted anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation and are not authorized to speak publicly until the team announces an official diagnosis.

Martinez suffered a non-contact injury five plays into Sunday's 17-14 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. That's now two captains with serious season-ending injuries to Nick Gates and Martinez, whose streak of four straight years with at least 144 tackles is over. Martinez's 151 tackles led the Giants last season.

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The Giants used Tae Crowder and Reggie Ragland in the middle of the defense to help compensate for the absence of Martinez on Sunday.

Crowder played all but one of 62 defensive snaps yesterday. He is likely to take over for Blake Martinez and command the huddle with the dot on the helmet.

Crowder was Mr. Irrelevant of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Quite the opposite of irrelevant for Giants right now.

Art Stapleton is the Giants beat writer for NorthJersey.com. 

Email: stapleton@northjersey.com 

Twitter: @art_stapleton