Ryan Anderson Off to a Bizarre Start with New York Giants

Former Alabama Crimson Tide edge linebacker Ryan Anderson signed with the New York Giants in March as a free agent after four years with the rival Washington Football Team. That contract was a 1-year prove-it deal worth $1.12 million. Flash forward to August 9, and Anderson was released by the Giants.

By Tuesday morning though, Anderson was back with the Giants.

According to The Athletic's Dan Duggan, the initial termination of Anderson's contract was due to language in the first contract related to Anderson's status on the Non-Football Injury list. Anderson has been on the NFI list since the start of camp with a back injury sustained away from the franchise.

Now that Anderson has been re-signed, the 26-year-old linebacker from Daphne, Alabama will be able to compete for a starting role on the Giants rebuilding defense. He'll be competing for the pass-rushing spot opposite of former Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter while competing with 2nd-round rookie Azeez Ojulari, who's also from Georgia.

Anderson himself was a 2nd-round pick by the Washington Football Team in the 2017 NFL Draft. In his four years in the NFL, Anderson has 86 total tackles, seven for a loss with six sacks. He's had a high pass rush win rate having 15 QB hits as a rotational player.

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He's facing a clinch point in his career with the Giants after falling out of the rotation with the Washington Football Team with the addition of Chase Young. Still, 2019 was his best season, recording four sacks, nine QB hits and 44 total tackles. He'll have to eclipse those numbers in his first year with New York to continue to push for a starting role wherever he plays.

In four years with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Anderson tallied 128 total tackles, 39.5 for a loss and 19 sacks, good for 10th all-time in program history.

The Giants start the preseason Saturday, Aug. 14 against the New York Jets. Alabama fans can catch other Crimson Tide stars Reggie Ragland and Carson Tinker for the Giants and CJ Mosely and Quinnen Williams for the Jets.