New York Giants Rookie Arvell Reese Shines in Victory Over Eagles

New York Giants rookie linebacker Arvell Reese played a crucial role in turning a tough day for the offense into a divisional victory on Sunday. He ended the game with an impressive performance, tallying 12 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble as New York defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 19-11 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Two of Reese’s sacks earned him a special distinction across the NFL. According to Next Gen Stats, Reese is the first player in the 2026 season to record at least two sacks from an inside-linebacker position in a single game. The term refers to his positioning on the field during those plays. His third sack led to a forced fumble, achieved in a mere 2.29 seconds, setting a new record for the fastest sack in the NFL this season.

Giants head coach John Harbaugh expressed admiration not only for Reese’s on-field performance but also for his approach to the game. “He wants to do things the right way,” Harbaugh commented. “He’s a great leader in his own quiet way.” Harbaugh also praised the rookie’s humility, toughness, work ethic, and coachability. He shared his and general manager Joe Schoen’s delight in securing Reese, an Ohio State standout, as the fifth overall pick in the draft.

In addition to his sacks, Reese amassed 10 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits. The Giants defense collectively sacked Philadelphia quarterback Joe Milton seven times, with Reese contributing significantly to this success. This win brought New York’s record to 5-2-1 and maintained their lead in the NFC East.

The victory also marked the end of a prolonged losing streak for New York at Lincoln Financial Field. The team had lost 13 consecutive games in Philadelphia, including a playoff matchup, since their last win there in October 2013.

Reese’s performance also set him apart in Giants history, as he became only the second rookie in the team’s history to achieve a three-sack game. The last player to do so was then-Giants defensive lineman B.J. Hill against the Chicago Bears on December 2, 2018.