The New York Giants were hoping to get several players back following their bye week. Instead, they got more bad injury news.
But the only starter that they’ll have back for Sunday’s game against the Rams is wide receiver Sterling Shepard. Shepard has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle.
Shepard’s return will give a boost to the offense, but unfortunately for the Giants, six players have already been ruled out for Sunday.
Four defensive players—Olivier Vernon, Kerry Wynn, Jonathan Casillas and B.J.Goodson—along with offensive linemen Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg—have all been ruled out. In the case of Richburg, the Giants put him on season-ending injured reserve early Saturday.
Brett Jones, who has started the past three games in place of Richburg, will now be the full-time starting center. Bobby Hart will start in place of Pugh at right tackle.
It’s never a good time to be without two of your offensive lineman, but it’s even worse when you’re going up against Aaron Donald and a defense that already has 23 sacks on the season.
In other injury news, cornerback Donte Deayon, who was expected to see an increase in playing time with Janoris Jenkins suspended, is questionable with an ankle injury he suffered in practice on Thursday.
So much for the Giants getting healthy during the bye week.