The New York Giants will start rookie safety Julian Love this Sunday afternoon against the Green Bay Packers.
This Sunday, the New York Giants will be heading into their matchup with the Green Bay Packers without one of their defensive leaders.
Safety Jabrill Peppers, who’s in his inaugural campaign with Big Blue, will experience his first missed game of the season. The third-year pro suffered a transverse process fracture in last Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears.
Peppers could miss up to two additional games after this upcoming game is finished.
So who will his replacement be? None other than Julian Love, who the team drafted in the fourth round (No. 108 overall) of April’s NFL Draft out of the University of Notre Dame.
Shurmur said Julian Love will start this week
— The Giant Insider Newspaper & Podcast (@GiantInsider) November 29, 2019
Love replaced Peppers when he exited the loss to the Bears. It was the most playing time Love has received on the defensive side of the ball this season. Against the Bears, he racked up his first career combined tackle and interception. The latter came on a lousy throw from Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
The rookie has been on the field for just 44 defensive snaps this season. On the contrary, he’s been on the field for 129 special teams snaps.
Love was a cornerback in college but has transitioned to play in more of a safety role. In 38 games for the Fighting Irish across three seasons, Love racked up 176 total tackles, six tackles-for-loss, five interceptions (two pick-sixes), 39 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries (one returned for a score).
The Giants and Packers will kick off this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium.
