Why Giants can be optimistic for stretch run
The Giants (7-4) have lost two in a row, but reinforcements are on the way in time for Sunday's home game against the Commanders.
On Monday, the Giants designated linebacker Azeez Ojulari to return from the injured reserve list. Ojulari, the team’s second-round pick a year ago, led the Giants with eight sacks in 2021.
Hamstring and calf strains have limited Ojulari to two games this season. Before exiting with a calf strain in a Week 4 victory over Chicago, Ojulari recorded a sack and a forced fumble in 30 snaps.
A healthy Ojulari will energize the Giants' defensive line and could be the key to unlocking rookie OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux, the fifth overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, has one sack, but he's trending upward.
In Thursday’s 28-20 loss in Dallas, Thibodeaux played perhaps his best game as a pro. He consistently pressured Dak Prescott, finishing with five QB hits. It tied a team high for the season.
If Ojulari can replicate last year’s success and Thibodeaux continues on his trajectory, New York could have its next great pass-rushing duo. For a franchise with a long history of elite defenders, the shoes to fill are as big as they get.
The Giants haven’t recorded a sack since Week 10. If they don’t want to be the next pair of Jordans added to Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke’s collection, their fully healthy defensive front must get to him.
In their remaining six games, the Giants have four divisional matchups. To get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, New York can’t dwell on its two-game losing streak.
As head coach Brian Daboll told the team Monday, “The season starts now."
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