In the blink of an eye, Darnay Holmes’ NFL journey took a wrong turn. In a dull preseason game on Sunday, August 25, the New York Jets slipped past the Giants 10-6. But for Holmes, the score was the least of his worries. When the final whistle blew, his NFL future looked shaky—just like a strained hamstring. He left the field nursing a neck injury.
The New York Giants chose to part ways with Holmes when it came time for the final roster cuts. But he didn’t stay unsigned for long—on August 28, 2024, Holmes signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Let’s take a closer look at his career and the injuries he’s faced.
Darnay Holmes: Early Life And Background
Holmes attended Calabasas High School in Calabasas, California, where he led the Coyotes to their first California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) title. In a dominant 42–3 win over Palos Verdes, he showcased his versatility by scoring five touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams. Holmes also played in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. A highly touted five-star recruit, he committed to playing college football at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His father, Darick Holmes, played in the NFL from 1995 to 1999.
Holmes enrolled early at UCLA to participate in the spring game and played for the Bruins from 2017 to 2019. He became a starter during his freshman year and started 33 of the 35 games he played. After the 2019 season, Holmes declared for the 2020 NFL Draft. He concluded his college career with 120 tackles, eight interceptions, and two touchdowns.
More On Darnay Holmes’ Career
Darnay Holmes began his NFL career when the New York Giants selected him with the 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Known for his speed and agility, Holmes quickly made his presence felt on the field. In Week 13 of his rookie season, he recorded his first career interception, picking off a pass from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, contributing to a 17-12 victory. Throughout his rookie season, Holmes played in 12 games, showing his defensive skills by recording 30 tackles, half a sack, a forced fumble, and five pass deflections.
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The 2021 season presented Holmes with new challenges, mainly due to injuries. In the latter half of the season, he suffered an injury, which sidelined him for six games. Despite the setback, Holmes played in 11 games, where he tallied 29 tackles, one interception, and two pass deflections. His ability to bounce back from injury showed his resilience and determination to contribute to the Giants’ defense.
Holmes returned stronger in the 2022 season. He appeared in 15 games and delivered one of his most productive seasons with 38 tackles, one forced fumble, and eight pass deflections. However, the 2023 season brought a different set of challenges for Holmes. Increased competition within the Giants’ secondary limited his playing time, but still, he appeared in 16 games. Despite the reduced role, Holmes remained effective when called upon, recording 15 tackles and two interceptions.
How Did Darnay Holmes Suffered From Neck Injury?
The news hit MetLife Stadium like a thunderclap—Holmes suffered a severe injury during a crucial play with 10:26 left on the clock in the preseason game. Favoring his left shoulder, doctors later diagnosed him with a neck injury sustained during a crucial play with 10:26 left on the clock. As players from both teams collided, Holmes went crashing to the ground.
Holmes had started the game and remained active deep into the fourth quarter, playing 53 snaps on defense. He recorded five tackles and defended one pass, but his night was overshadowed by a missed tackle on Jets running back Israel Abanikanda. Holmes wasn’t alone in that blunder; Darrian Beavers, who was also released, missed Abanikanda as he raced for a 45-yard touchdown.
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What About Darnay Holmes’ Past Injuries?
On November 30, 2021, the New York Giants placed Darnay Holmes on the injured reserve list after he sustained a rib injury while intercepting a pass from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. The injury occurred during the Giants’ Week 12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Holmes made a key interception in the first half, but as he came down, Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, weighing over 350 pounds, landed squarely on Holmes’ chest. The impact was severe, and it was immediately clear that Holmes was in pain.
Despite his injury, Holmes tried to remain on the field, showing determination to continue playing. However, his condition quickly worsened, and he began experiencing difficulty breathing. Medical staff promptly intervened and transported him to the hospital for further evaluation. Following his hospitalization, the Giants placed him on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least three games as he recovered from the injury. His return depended on his recovery progress and meeting the criteria to be removed from the injured reserve list.
Why Was Darnay Holmes Traded?
Darnay Holmes’ preseason struggles painted a concerning picture for the New York Giants. If his injury marked the final chapter of his preseason woes, the earlier parts of the story were just as troubling. Holmes’ preseason not only revolved around his physical setback in the Jets game but also featured a series of missed opportunities that piled up like rush-hour traffic on the Washington Bridge.
Take, for example, the Jets’ lone touchdown during the game—a 45-yard dash to the end zone by rookie Israel Abanikanda. While it was a highlight for Abanikanda, it was a nightmare for Holmes, who, along with teammate Darrian Beavers, had a clear chance to stop him. Both missed their tackles, leaving Giants fans and coaches frustrated and shaking their heads.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Holmes’ preseason has been riddled with similar errors, particularly in open-field tackling. It’s a stark contrast from the player once hailed as a “savvy vet.” Just last season, he impressed with ten solo tackles and two interceptions in Weeks 10 and 11. The talent is there, but consistency remains a problem.
As the Giants’ decision-makers gather to finalize their roster, they’ll weigh Holmes’ past performances against his recent mistakes. He does have some value on special teams, where he played over 45% of the snaps last season. But with rookie Dru Phillips pushing hard for the nickel back spot, Holmes needed a strong preseason finish to secure his place. Instead, he left more doubts than reassurances for the coaching staff. In the NFL, that’s a risky place to be when your job is on the line.
