Injuries played a major role in derailing former Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer’s 2018 season, his first with the New York Giants.
After a promising start through six weeks, Latimer was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and didn’t return until December 19.
Drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round in 2014, Latimer has yet to carve out a role in the NFL as an every down receiver.
The could be about to change after a dramatic turn of events at the Giants’ training camp at East Rutherford, N.J.
After a rash of injuries to Giants’ receivers Sterling Shepard, Corey Coleman and Brittan Golden during the first week of the training camp, the latest news is that expected starter Golden Tate has been suspended for four weeks for using a fertility drug.
One of the clear beneficiaries to this unfortunate turn of events is Latimer.
Now entering his sixth year in the NFL, Latimer has 46 career catches for 635 yards and four touchdowns.
The suspension and injuries to the Giants’ receivers all come on the heels of the team’s offseason trade of star Odell Beckham, Jr.
While Latimer entered the summer with a strong chance to make the Giants 53-man roster, that outcome was uncertain.
Now?
As it stands Latimer is likely the top receiver on the team’s roster as we near August. The former Hoosier could be the WR1 for the Giants catching passes from Eli Manning when the team opens their season on September 8 in Dallas.
Still just 26 years old and at what should be the prime of his career, Latimer could not have asked for a better opportunity in New York. The Ohio native will have every opportunity to prove that he can be an NFL starter, and of course the financial impact could be significant.
It will no doubt be an interesting story to monitor in the coming weeks.
Latimer declared for the NFL Draft on January 5, 2014, forgoing his senior season at Indiana after a 2013 campaign that saw him pace the team with 72 receptions, 1,096 yards and 91.3 yards per game.
While in Bloomington Latimer became the 21st Hoosier to reach 100 catches and 1,000 yards. He closed out his career tied for fourth in 100-yard games (seventh) and seventh in yardage (2,042) and receptions (135) on Indiana’s all-time lists. He made at least one catch in all 32 of his career games including 24 starts.
Latimer was named second team All-Big Ten in 2013 by the media and honorable mention by the coaches. He was Indiana’s Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player.
While at Indiana, Latimer caught passes from now fellow NFC East competitor Nate Sudfeld.
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