As much as coaches stress the value and need for interchangeable parts there are some players who are indispensable. Count middle linebacker Jon Beason in that group for the Giants, which is why it could be calamitous that he was carted off the field during Thursday’s organized team activity practice.
The Giants made the re-signing of Beason a priority in free agency and once they secured him, they were relieved he would return. That’s why the possibility of losing him would be devastating to the defense this team is assembling.
Beason in the second-to-last OTA of the spring limped to the side, took off his uniform and was eventually carted off, sitting in the front seat. The Giants are saying Beason suffered some sort of injury to his right foot. He went for tests at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
“It’s a foot,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “He was running across the field and felt something in the bottom of his foot. We’ll see.’’
Coughlin a bit later amended his description, saying he did not know what part of the foot was hurting.
Beason, 29, played in 12 games last season for the Giants after he was acquired in a trade with the Panthers for a seventh-round draft pick and made a big contribution in nearly every one of them.
He provided playmaking and leadership in the middle of the defense and the Giants signed him to a three-year, $16.8 million deal to have him continue to make plays and lead. That offer would not have been made unless the Giants were convinced of Beason’s health. He tore his left Achilles tendon in 2011 and the next year needed microfracture surgery on his right knee, a procedure that effectively ended his stay in Carolina.
With Justin Tuck now with the Raiders, it is highly likely Beason will be named a defensive captain alongside safety Antrel Rolle, who was a teammate of Beason’s at the University of Miami.
“[He’s] very important, because of the nature of the man, his attitude, what he brings to the table, his leadership skills, very important,’’ Coughlin said.
Beason, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Panthers, played up to that level at times last season. His addition, plus the return from suspension of safety Will Hill, rejuvenated a defense that finished No. 8 in the league after a slow start. Hill has been waived after facing another suspension and now Beason’s status is uncertain. Before this issue with his foot, Beason was relieved to be fully healthy this offseason, able to get in prime shape and hone his football skills rather than occupy his time rehabbing an injury.
There’s not much behind Beason on the depth chart at middle linebacker. Devon Kennard, a rookie fifth-round pick from USC, replaced Beason with the starting defense during the team portion of the practice.
There’s also Mark Herzlich, who is primarily a special teams player entering his fourth season with the team. Former Raven Jameel McClain, a strong side linebacker, could move inside if needed.
Kennard is a 6-foot-3, 251-pounder who played various linebacker spots at USC.
“He’s picked things up very well,” Coughlin said. “He’s very smart, very good on the board. He’s done a nice job on the field, a good job on special teams. We’re excited about him. A nice big kid, strong kid.”
As intrigued as the Giants are about Kennard, they want him to watch and learn on defense this season, watching and learning from Beason. Seeing Kennard between McClain and Spencer Paysinger with the starters is fine for an OTA in June, not so fine when the action heats up.
“Just with the process, they’re trusting me more,’’ Kennard said. “Well see where it goes from here.’’
The Giants do not want it to go anywhere from here, because they hope Kennard fills a backup role and Beason gets back on the field.