Landon Collins played a season-high 27 defensive snaps in the Giants’ crucial win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football. The safety turned linebacker made three tackles, including a critical third-down stop in the second half.
In the days following the win, head coach Brian Daboll said that the team would consider signing Collins to the active roster from the practice squad for the remainder of the season.
On Thursday evening, that move became official. The 28-year-old will now have the opportunity to contribute down the stretch with the team that drafted him in the second round back in 2015.
“It’s exciting,” Collins told reporters on Thursday. “It’s exciting because now you get to really contribute. Now you get to make some plays for this team and help make that run. That run is as big as it comes. This opportunity is a blessing and I’m thankful for it.”
Collins, of course, was an All-Pro safety during his first stint in the Big Apple. Injuries derailed his career after he signed with Washington in 2019 and he was forced to move to more of a linebacker/safety role. After going unsigned this offseason, he signed with the Giants’ practice squad.
After that, Collins just put his head down and went to work, earning his spot on the active roster.
“It was definitely humbling, but I’ve always been that way. I’ve always been a hard worker, that’s never changed. I never came here with an expectation or anything like that. I came here just to go to work and get back into the building, that’s the best part about it,” Collins said.
Daboll told reporters that attitude and work ethic Collins has showed is exactly what the Giants are looking to bring into this organization.
“It’s not always going to be perfect, it’s never always going to go your way. Come in with a good attitude, continue to work, and continue to earn it," the head coach said.
He added: "There’s a mental toughness that you need to play this game, and it’s not just after a loss. Maybe it’s from playing time, maybe it’s another thing, you got to keep pushing and keep a positive attitude. And he’s done that.”
As far as the opportunity to help the Giants reach the postseason for the first time since 2016, Collins said it’s a ‘blessing in disguise.’
“It’s crazy because after so many years the last time was the last time I was here. It’s just a blessing in disguise to get that opportunity again, to get to finish what we did last time. We’re on the road to getting that opportunity again.”