The 2-10 Giants keep hemorrhaging important players
It appears that star defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence might not be the only member of the New York Giants likely to have suffered a season-ending injury on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Brian Daboll revealed on Friday that rookie tight end Theo Johnson suffered a foot injury that could cost him the remainder of the season, as well.
Daboll said that he would anticipate Lawrence’s disclocated elbow “being long term, which is the rest of the season.” Johnson’s injury is “long-term as well,” and there is “definitely a potential” he is done for the season.
Lawrence is the Giants’ best player and probably their most-respected locker room leader. There is no replacing what Lawrence, who might be the best defensive tackle in the league, brings to the Giants.
To make matters worse, the Giants have suffered a rash of injuries at the defensive tackle position.
They placed Armon Watts on Injured Reserve before Thursday’s game, and saw D.J. Davidson (shoulder) and Rakeem Nunez-Roches (stinger) join Lawrence on the sideline during the game against the Cowboys. They finished the game with seldom-used Elijah Chatman and usually inactive Jordon Riley as the only healthy defensive linemen.
The injuries to Davidson and Nunez-Roches are not expected to be long-term, but Daboll said “there’s definitely a chance” the Giants will have to sign reinforcements for the defensive line.
The only defensive lineman on the practice squad is undrafted free agent rookie Casey Rogers.
Johnson, the Giants’ fourth-round pick, had five catches for 54 yards on Thursday. He played with physicality and showed his athleticism by leaping over a defender to gain yards after catch on one reception.
Johnson has 29 receptions so far this season, including 18 in the final five games.
Tight ends Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz have been on the Giants’ 53-man roster all season. The Giants claimed tight end Greg Dulcich off waivers from the Denver Broncos this week, and will now have to get him up to speed quickly.
They also recently added tight end Jordan Murray to their practice squad.
