Yes, they will.
Edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Olulari took some snaps during the team drills during Wednesday’s practice. This is a big step for both players, neither of whom played in the first two games, both Giants victories.
Thibodeaux is dealing with a sprained knee and Ojulari has a strained calf muscle.
“I was fully involved today, was really able to open up and do some things,’’ Thibodeaux said. “Definitely a lot of progress, was able to open it up and do a lot more things so I’m definitely confident.’’
Thibodeaux also said he was confident last week that he could play against the Panthers but was inactive.
“One plus one is two, we’re building right now,’’ he said. “We’re taking the right steps.’’
Without them, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has mixed and matched up front, getting solid play from Oshane Ximines and Jihad Ward on the edges. There have been only three sacks in the two games, though, and Martindale has been forced to apply pressure on blitzes to speed up the opposing quarterback. Having Thibodeaux — the No. 5-overall pick in the draft — and Ojulari — the team leader with 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2021 — is sure to bolster the pass rush, if one or both of them is available for Monday night’s game against the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.
Kayvon Thibodeaux Bill Kostroun
Azeez Ojulari Robert Sabo“They’re getting close,’’ head coach Brian Daboll said.
Thibodeaux seems very close.
“The thing people don’t realize is whether you’re injured or not injured, once you decide to step on the field between the whistles it doesn’t really matter,’’ he said. “Just making sure I can go. Today was a day to open up and really try to go that 100 to see what it would feel like. Being able to do that was a good thing.’’
DL Leonard Williams was forced out of Sunday’s victory with a knee injury. The plan was for him to stay inside and receive treatment on Wednesday. Daboll labeled Williams “a fast healer’’ but the knee sprain he suffered is likely to keep him out.
WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring soreness) did not practice. WR Sterling Shepard was held out because of the heavy workload he was able to take in his first two games coming off Achilles tendon surgery. WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), CB Aaron Robinson (appendicitis) and CB Nick McCloud (hamstring) also did not practice.
The Giants in practice wore their throwback helmets with GIANTS emblazoned on them. These are the helmets they will wear Monday night against the Cowboys, along with their Color Rush all-white uniforms.
The Giants would not have been able to overtake the Panthers for a 19-16 victory without their kicker. And Graham Gano was recognized for his performance, being named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Gano went 4-for-4 on his field goals, hitting from 51 and 56 yards in the fourth quarter. Gano scored 13 of the Giants’ 19 points.
This is the fifth time in Gano’s career and the third time in his three seasons with the Giants he has won the award.
