The New York Giants are still waiting on a defensive turnaround since firing coordinator Shane Bowen, so they won’t welcome potentially being without All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II against the Washington Commanders in Week 15.
Lawrence was a late add to the injury report on Friday, December 12, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic, who cited the update from Giants.com Managing Editor Matt Citak. The latter listed Lawrence as “questionable” for the game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday because of a “hamstring” problem.
While Lawrence is not officially out, Duggan is “expecting a flurry of roster moves tomorrow.” He noted the need to create roster spots with inside linebacker Darius Muasau and cornerback Art Green being elevated off injured reserve.
Lawrence’s status will be the bigger news, though, and not just because he remains key to a defense needing a statement game. That hasn’t happened since Charlie Bullen took over from Bowen, but the interim play-caller knows he needs big No. 97 fully healthy and able to rediscover his best form against the Giants‘ NFC East rival.
Dexter Lawrence II Must Step Up
It’s been a frustrating season for Lawrence, who has had to respond to his performance being called out by a Giants great. Lawrence has remained bullish defending his efforts, but the stats and the tape don’t lie.
The three-time Pro Bowler has made just 10 solo tackles and been in on only half a sack. Generating pressure used to be the core of his game, but Lawrence has a mere 11 pressures to his credit this season, per Pro Football Reference.
Interestingly, the same site listed Lawrence as playing left defensive tackle (LDT) in 2024 and simply “DL” this year. Those are different designations than when he was listed as a nose tackle during his 2022 peak.
Lawrence earned a place on a level all to himself when playing over the ball, but injuries have been a bigger problem than alignment for the 28-year-old. A dislocated elbow ended his ’24 campaign prematurely, while recurring issues kept him on the sidelines for the decisive moment during an overtime loss to the Detroit Lions this season.
The Giants need Lawrence at full speed to resume his role as the cornerstone of their front seven, but he needs other leaders to emerge around him.
Giants Waiting for New Leaders to Emerge Defensively
Having other studs step forward up front has been a challenge, even though edge-rusher Brian Burns has logged a career-high 13 sacks. Burns is a veteran approaching his prime, but the Giants thought they had a true star in the making when they used the third pick in the 2025 NFL draft to select Abdul Carter.
Unfortunately, the roving pass-rusher has been less than professional preparing for games. Carter’s also been far from effective on the field and must develop new parts of his skill-set.
Nobody else has emerged as a game-wrecker in the trenches, despite the presence of a capable veteran like Roy-Robertson Harris and another versatile rookie, Darius Alexander.
Names like these are part of a pass rush that’s promised way more than it’s delivered. Lawrence being below-par hasn’t helped, but the Giants are still waiting on better support for their star disruptor.
Facing a struggling Commanders team again set to be led by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is an ideal chance for Lawrence’s supporting acts to step up.
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