Giants' FB Nikita Whitlock headed to IR with knee injury, per report

The season is apparently over for New York Giants' fullback/defensive tackle Nikita Whitlock. After suffering a knee injury on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Whitlock will reportedly be placed on injured reserve. The news was first reported by NJ Advance Media and later confirmed by Inside Football.

The 5-foot-10, 250-pound Whitlock was one of the feel-good stories of a largely disappointing Giants season. He beat out incumbent Henry Hynoski for the fullback job, largely because of his versatility.

Whitlock played 132 snaps on offense this season (13.64 percent), 61 snaps on defense (5.99 percent) and was a critical member of the Giants' special teams, playing 276 snaps (64.34 percent).

The Giants have not made an official announcement regarding Whitlock, so it's not known at this time how the team will fill the roster spot it now has open. If the Giants want a true fullback, Hynoski has yet to find a team.

The Giants could also fill the roster spot with an additional tight end such as practice squad player Mat LaCosse and use the tight end as the lead blocker on running plays.

This is an unfortunate break for a popular player who had become a key contributor.