Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Injury: Updates on Giants CB's Thigh and Return

A position short on depth nearly got worse on Thursday night, when New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie left his game against the Redskins with a thigh injury but shortly returned.

The team's official Twitter account initially reported his return as questionable:

The injury occurred early in the second quarter, when Rodgers-Cromartie extended himself to tackle Washington running back Roy Helu Jr. on the perimeter and rolled over in an awkward position.

After trainers worked on his leg on the sideline, he quickly returned as Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke noted:

Leading 14-0 at the time of the injury, the Giants quickly felt the pain of the loss of their top cornerback. Previously unable to move the ball on offense, Washington marched down the field to score after the cornerback's absence, as Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post noticed:

"

Giants are feeling the loss of Rodgers-Cromartie. Cousins had a field day as soon as he went out.

— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) September 26, 2014"

The 28-year-old was targeted as the Giants' new shutdown corner after they acquired him in free agency over the offseason. He has wasted no time making his impact felt, intercepting a pass in Week 3 and amassing six pass breakups through three games.

Needless to say, Tom Coughlin and Co. can't afford another loss at the cornerback position. Walter Thurmond—another offseason signing who starred as the slot corner—tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2 and was put on injured reserve. 

The Giants gave up 60 points through their first two games, but things were looking up on defense prior to Rodgers-Cromartie's injury. They forced three interceptions as a unit against the Texans in Week 3. 

With Prince Amukamara locking down the other island, look for Trumaine McBride and Zack Bowman to step into more playing time should Rodgers-Cromartie miss any more time.