Mark Herzlich working as Giants first-team MLB

In the New York Giants minicamp, linebacker Mark Herzlich was lining up as a starter for head coach Tom Coughlin, something that he hasn't done in his brief NFL career.

Herzlich has been a role player in his first two seasons with Big Blue, making 42 tackles in that span. However, Herzlich is now being given the chance to start, per the Giants official website.

The opportunity comes for Herzlich as last year's starting middle linebacker, Michael Boley, was cut in February and subsequently arrested for child abuse, according to the New York Daily News.

At Boston College, Herzlich was dominant before being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. He was named a 2008 All-American while making the All-ACC team. He was also named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

Incredibly, Herzlich returned to football after beating the illness, and subsequently earned a spot on the Giants after signing as an undrafted free agent.

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