Giants linebacker Tremaine Edmunds out for the season with a torn chest muscle

New York Giants middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is out for the rest of the season with a torn chest muscle, according to a league source.

Edmunds, 28, was hurt on one of the final plays of Sunday's 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He wanted to play through it. The team spent the week trying to see if the injury could be managed but decided that was not possible.

It is a big loss for New York's defense. Edmunds signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Giants this offseason. Through six games he led the team with 50 tackles and was tied for the team lead with two sacks.

A leader on defense

Edmunds was on the team's leadership council. He also wore the green dot on his helmet, which meant he took the play calls from the sideline and relayed them to the defense.

Veteran Micah McFadden will take his spot in the middle and is expected to wear the green dot. He will talk directly with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. McFadden has started 36 games in his career.

"I think I said early on we have three starters. So, when and if that happens, Micah is ready [to start]," coach John Harbaugh said Friday. He called McFadden a starter who will "play really well" and "be excited for his opportunity." The Giants have long said they have three starting middle linebackers in Edmunds, McFadden and Arvell Reese.

More injury news

Outside linebacker Chauncey Golston is also done for the year, according to league sources. He was placed on injured reserve earlier this month with a neck injury.

There is some good news for the Giants (3-2-1) before Sunday's home game against the Houston Texans (2-4). Cornerback Paulson Adebo is expected back from a knee injury. Starting tackles Andrew Thomas (groin) and Jermaine Eluemunor (calf) are listed as questionable, but Harbaugh said they "should have a good chance" to play.