The New York Giants became the first NFL team this season to be eliminated from playoff contention on Thanksgiving Day, which led to injuries — and vice versa.
Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence suffered a season-ending dislocated elbow in the team’s 27-20 loss on Thursday.
After the game, Lawrence was seen wearing a sling, and Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters Friday that this was a “long-term” scenario. Big Blue only has five games left this year.
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New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence warms up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrizier Stadium in Pittsburgh on October 28. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Lawrence will finish the season with a career-high nine sacks, which currently ranks sixth in the NFL.
Lawrence looked like he was going to be another disaster for Dave Gettleman in his first three seasons after being selected No. 19 in 2019, but he has found a new groove with the addition of Daboll and has improved over the past two seasons. He was selected as a second-team All-Pro in each. .
Last season, he finished ninth in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants runs onto the field before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium on October 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Kevin Savitas/Getty Images)
Giants head coach Brian Daboll wasn’t worried about his job after his team was eliminated from the playoffs for the first time.
The Giants have been plagued by injuries all season, with defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeau, linebacker Azeez Ojulari and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas all suffering injuries. Even quarterback Tommy DeVito, who started the first game of the season last Sunday, injured his forearm and missed the Thanksgiving noon game.
The Giants fell to 2-10 on the season with the loss to the Cowboys, but currently own the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL draft.
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence looks on before a game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Vincent Calchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Lawrence’s offseason will start sooner than expected as he turns the page on 2025, and the rest of the team is likely counting down the days until that happens.
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