The New York Giants have been bitten hard by the injury bug, with sixteen players on Friday’s injury report ahead of their showdown with the Green Bay Packers.
Jameis Winston will be getting the start at quarterback this week, with Jaxson Dart unable to practice at all due to the concussion he suffered against the Bears.
But that was just the beginning of the report, with several key Giants starters out on both sides of the ball. On top of that, several other starters are listed as questionable or doubtful.
Giants’ Offense Will Be Without Many Key Playmakers
The Giants were already down their starting quarterback, with star receiver Malik Nabers and rookie sensation running back Cam Skattebo out for the season. This week, Darius Slayton will be out with a hamstring injury, stretching the wide receiver room thin.
Slayton previously missed several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against the Saints, but the former Auburn receiver suffered another one against the Bears. Slayton returned for the second half in Chicago, but has not been able to practice this week.
New York will be relying on Wan’Dale Robinson as their WR1 this week, with Gunnar Olzewski taking over in the slot. The Giants also reunited with Isaiah Hodgins, signing their former playoff hero off the Steelers‘ practice squad this week and back into blue.
Elsewhere on the offense, the Giants placed offensive lineman Evan Neal on injured reserve. Neal had only been active for one game this season and had not taken a snap. In his place, Big Blue signed Younghoe Koo off the practice squad, making him the kicker for this week.
The G-Men also elevated defensive tackle Elijah Chatman and wide receiver/special teams player Dalen Cambre from their practice squad. Both players are fan-favorites and have made big impacts for New York after signing with New York as undrafted free agents.
New York Has A Laundry List Of Injuries On Defense
The defensive side of the ball may be an even bigger issue than the offense, with several key starters on all three levels listed as either out, doubtful, or questionable.
Starting with the line, defensive end Rakeem Nunez-Roches is doubtful for Sunday’s contest against Green Bay. The Giants do not have a listed left defensive end behind Nunez-Roches, meaning that backup right defensive end Darius Alexander would likely start at the position.
At outside linebacker, Kavyon Thibodeaux is out with a shoulder injury after being unable to practice all week. His backup, Chauncey Gholston, is also out with a neck injury, with both players also being prominent as edge rushers on the defensive line.
In the secondary, strong safety Tyler Nubin is listed as doubtful, which means that Dane Belton would likely start in his place. Cornerback Paulson Adebo has been limited in practice all week and is questionable for the Green Bay game as well.
The Packers had fifteen of their own players on the injury report, but many of them do not have an injury designation as of Friday’s report.
The most notable news from Green Bay is that kicker Brandon McManus is doubtful for the game, while wide receiver Malik Heath and cornerback Nate Hobbs will be out.
Defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness, along with wide receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, are all questionable for tomorrow’s game at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff between the Giants and Packers is set for 1 PM, with the game being televised on FOX.
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