Injuries have plagued the (2-12) New York Giants all season, and they head into their Christmas Eve showdown with the (6-8) Arizona Cardinals with many of their key players on the injury report.
Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins is questionable with an ankle injury that he suffered in the Giants week 14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Collins was managed to start last week against the Eagles but left the game in the second quarter.
Collins admitted this week that he may have been better off sitting out last week against the Eagles, but that he wanted to be out there with his teammates.
Collins intends to play on Sunday but if he does, then the question becomes how long can he stay on the field?
Another key member of the Giants defense that is also questionable is defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. JPP is dealing with a fractured finger to his right hand that he suffered on Dec. 3 against the Oakland Raiders. This is the same hand that was mangled in his 2015 fireworks accident. This is why he’s been wearing a club on his right hand the past two games.
JPP practiced on a limited basis on Friday after missing the previous two days of practice. Despite barely practicing this week, he intends to play on Sunday.
“I’m always planning to play, man,” he said. “I’m ready to go. I’m getting on the plane tomorrow and we’re going to Arizona, and I’m ready to run around.”
Safety Nat Berhe is also questionable with an ankle injury, and linebacker B.J. Goodson (ankle) and wide receiver Tavarres King (concussion) have already been ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Goodson has played well when he’s been on the field as he is sixth on the Giants in tackles with 53. But staying on the field has been his biggest issue as Sunday will be the eighth game he’s missed this season.
At 2-12 Sunday’s game against the Cardinals may seem meaningless, but the Giants are playing for pride, their head coach, and are hoping to avoid being swept by the NFC conference this season.
So look for whoever is able to play on Sunday to give it their all to try to come away with a win.
