Bad news just keeps pouring in for the New York Giants. Now riding a six-game losing streak after starting 2-4, the injury report is getting worse. All-Pro DT Dexter Lawrence, former No. 5 pick ED Kayvon Thibodeaux, and starting LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles all did not practice on Wednesday, per interim Giants HC Mike Kafka via Matt Citak.
Lawrence is dealing with an elbow injury, Thibodeaux has a shoulder injury, and Flannigan-Fowles has a neck injury. Thibodeaux hasn’t played since Week 10 against the Bears, while Lawrence and Flannigan-Fowles would be missing their first games with their respective injuries.
This news comes on the heels of rookie first-round QB Jaxson Dart missing a pair of games with a concussion. It was the fourth time this season that Dart went through concussion protocol, though this by far his most significant absence as a result. Dart was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, though officially he’s still in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
The New York Giants Begin Their Coaching Search
Sarah Stier/GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 21: Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the New York Giants in action during the NFL 2025 game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
With Brian Daboll out as head coach after four seasons (technically three and a half), GM Joe Schoen is undertaking the task of conducting a full coaching search. Schoen was hired at the same time Daboll was back in 2022. Both came over from the Bills, where Schoen was the assistant general manager and Daboll the offensive coordinator. They were hired as a packaged deal to revitalize a dormant Giants franchise, but now Schoen is to find Daboll’s replacement.
The top two coaches on the market in this cycle are expected to be Rams DC Chris Shula (yes, related to the Hall of Famer Don Shula) and Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak. In particular, Kubiak could be appealing to the Giants because of his skills as an offensive guru. New York will want to find a coach with a plan to develop Dart moving forward, as the rookie has shown some real promise but his game is still raw.
Other top candidates include Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Chargers DC Jesse Minter, Bills OC Joe Brady, and Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile. Kafka himself will get a chance to audition for the role over the remainder of the season, with five games left for him to state his case. Former Patriots HC and currently North Carolina HC Bill Belichick is rumored to be eyeing a return to the NFL, though it’s unknown if New York would be interested.
The New York Giants are in Contention for the No. 1 Overall Pick
With six weeks left to go in the 2025 regular season, five teams are racing for the No. 1 overall pick. The Giants are tied with the Titans for the most losses in the league with 10, but they’ve played one more game and sit at 2-10 compared to Tennessee’s 1-10.
Other teams who could push for the top pick are the Saints, Jets, and Raiders. All three of those teams are currently 2-9. In theory, any of the three-win teams (the Browns, Commanders, Bengals, and Cardinals) could also end up at No. 1, but that’s more unlikely.
For the Giants to have the best shot at the top pick, losing out would be ideal. They face the Patriots, Commanders, Vikings, Raiders, and Cowboys over the next six weeks. That game against Las Vegas in Week 17 could be a pseudo-elimination game for the top pick, with the winner being out.
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