The NY Giants are back in action on Sunday and will play their NFC East rivals the Washington Commanders on home turf at MetLife Stadium for the first time this season. Yup, this is going to be a big one.
Injuries were a main topic of conversation last week as the Giants were crippled with multiple starters absent for the Thanksgiving Day game vs. the Dallas Cowboys. The good news is that Brian Daboll’s team can expect reinforcements ready for Week 13. Here is a look at three players we could see return to take on the Commanders.
3. Tight end Daniel Bellinger
A rookie tight end, Daniel Bellinger has been a key piece of the Giants offense this season. The fourth-round draft pick started off well, scoring two touchdowns in six games while also being a key blocker. Unfortunately, Bellinger suffered a fractured eye socket Week 7 in the 23-17 win over Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bellinger was not placed on Injured Reserve (IR) and was given a timeframe of 4-6 weeks for a return and he is approaching that return window. The San Diego State product was limited at practice on earlier in the week, but there’s hope he’ll be able to suit up.
Brian Daboll said he is optimistic about Bellinger being ready for Sunday. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will be hoping that he will be playing, as the Giants will need every offensive weapon they have in a crucial game. Both Washington and NY are fighting for a playoff spot. This contest is massive.
2. Offensive tackle Evan Neal
The rookie right tackle, Evan Neal had a shaky start to the season, but in the last two games he played before a knee injury sidelined him, he was starting to look more comfortable out on the field. Giants fans will remember how third-year left tackle Andrew Thomas looked in his rookie year: his play was a disaster, but the potential was there. Thomas turned that around in his second season and cemented himself as a top level offensive tackle.
Now in his third year, Thomas is arguably the best left tackle in the league. It is safe to say that Neal has entered the league and has already been playing at a better standard than his teammate Thomas did in his rookie year. There is no need to hit the panic button yet for the former Alabama player.
Neal suffered an injury to his MCL in the Week 7 victory over Jacksonville. He has not played a game since, but Daboll has hinted at the No. 7 overall pick being able to play this Sunday vs. Washington. Neal returning will be a big help to the run game and running back Saquon Barkley, who has not been at his best in recent weeks.
1. Pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari
The former Georgia Bulldog, Azeez Ojulari will be ready to go against Washington. Ojulari injured his hamstring in preseason camp. Eleven days later, he was injured again in a joint training session with the Jets, resulting in him missing the first two games of the season. Ojulari then re-injured his calf vs. the Chicago Bears and has not played since.
The 2021 second-round pick was one of the most valuable players for the Giants defense last season, recording eight sacks, which now stands as the franchise rookie record. Ojulari was also a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year, though Micah Parsons was the clear No. 1 contender there.
Coming into this season, NY supporters had their hopes set on seeing an improved defensive front, consisting of Kayvon Thibodeux, Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Ojulari. Fans will likely get that wish on Sunday as the second-year pass-rusher is set to play after returning to practice earlier this week.
With the breakout performance of Lawrence this season, who looks like one of if not the best interior defenders in the league, this Giants defensive front could be a joy to see in action. They’ll look to give Washington a ton of problems in this one, with Ojulari no question hungry to get into the backfield to make head-turning plays.
Predicting the NY Giants games for the rest of the 2022 season
The NY Giants, 7-4 on the year, have six more games left in the regular season and they'll need to show improvement to make the postseason.