Giants 3rd round pick is benched — but team hopes he will 'bloom'

The New York Giants surprised some fans when they kept third-round pick Darius Alexander off the active roster in Week 1.

The defensive tackle was a healthy scratch against the Washington Commanders, an early setback after a quiet preseason showing.

Slow start after early injury

Alexander’s summer began on the wrong foot when an injury sidelined him for the early days of training camp.

That limited start slowed his progress, and it was evident throughout preseason action as he struggled to make much impact.

In three exhibition games, Alexander managed just two tackles over 61 snaps, hardly enough to demand a game-day roster spot.

Productive college career still fresh

Despite the early NFL struggles, Alexander’s collegiate production suggests there’s plenty of untapped potential for