Giants Lose Depth Edge Rusher to Injury

New York Giants fans have grown used to being struck by the injury bug. From Daniel Jones to Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr. to Victor Cruz, it has spared next to no one.

The first major injury of New York’s offseason won’t end their season, like left tackle Andrew Thomas’ Lisfranc ailment, or suspend an award chase, like defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence’s bum elbow. But it is a brief reminder that as football returns, the dreaded parts of the sport will come with it.

On Wednesday, the Giants lost free agent edge rusher Victor Dimukeje to a torn pectoral injury, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

“He will miss significant time as a result, potentially even part of this season,” Raanan wrote. “A torn pec generally comes with a four-to-six-month timeline following surgery. That would likely push Dimukeje's timetable to return at least through the summer.”

Dimukeje was an early signing for general manager Joe Schoen, signing a one-year, $1.3 million contract in free agency. Some believe there’s some upside to unpack, given his promising pass-rushing peripherals. The results haven’t followed, with four career sacks, all of which came in 2023.

Nevertheless, he figured to play a role in the team’s outside linebacker depth. The unit was tested in 2024 as Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari both missed time.

It isn’t immediately clear if he’ll be missing regular-season action. Perhaps he’ll begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

New York is fortunate to have a surplus along the edge. Brian Burns speaks for himself, as does Thibodeaux. The addition of rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter makes the Giants’ unit among the best in the sport.

While Dimukeje was somewhat penciled in as an Ojulari replacement by archetype, his snaps were more likely to fall to Chauncey Golston anyway, as he boasts a more expensive deal and the versatility to kick inside on passing downs. That’s different from how Dimukeje/Ojulari would play into the defense’s plans. Regardless, the signing projected to be the team’s fifth edge rusher.

With a normal recovery, the opportunity to make plays on a promising defense should still exist. As far as New York goes, it’ll take solace in the timing of Dimukeje’s injury.