3 Giants defenders who must step up after Dexter Lawrence injury

One of the few bright spots of the New York Giants' disastrous season was taken away after the Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys. Prized member of the Giants defense, Dexter Lawrence, injured his elbow and has been placed on Injured Reserve, likely ending his season. Lawrence was a surefire First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowler, and in serious contention for Defensive Player of the Year.

Unfortunately, Lawrence's best season of his career has come to an abrupt end, and it's now up to other members of this defense to show some life in his absence and give fans a glimmer of hope heading into 2025.

3. Deonte Banks, CB

With Lawrence out, the Giants' pass rush takes a huge hit, meaning the secondary will have to step up with opposing quarterbacks not having to rush as much. No one on the back end of the defense could use this opportunity more than Deonte Banks. It's been a less-than-impressive sophomore season for the cornerback. Subpar play mixed with a lack of effort is never a recipe for success, especially in the eyes of coaches and fans.

Banks has been benched multiple times this season because of the product he's put on the field. You have to imagine he's on a short leash with coaches, and the fanbase certainly has started to turn on him. He's still young, so most are still hoping for the best out of him and this year is some sort of weird exception. However, this is a chance for Banks to show he cares. It's a chance for him to be the anchor Joe Schoen and company drafted him to be. Step up and keep the Giants competitive in these final five games.

2. Jordon Riley, DT

It goes without saying that Lawrence's backup needs to step up in his absence. Now is the time for Jordon Riley to show why he deserves to be on the roster. No disrespect to Riley, but going from Lawrence to him is quite the drop-off, and honestly, he'd probably agree. However, no one is expecting him to be Lawrence. Riley needs to be himself and step up without trying to do too much, which could end up actually hurting the defense.

Like Banks, Riley is in the midst of his second year, but unlike Banks, Riley was drafted with far fewer expectations. The seventh-round pick has only played in 16 total games. Before the Lawrence injury, Riley played in just 13 percent of defensive snaps. He’s now going to see a much-increased workload and needs to make the most of it not only for the team but also for himself. He needs to give the coaches and front office even more of a reason to keep him on the roster for 2025 and beyond.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, OLB

No one is under more pressure to answer the call than Kayvon Thibodeaux. He's had a bit of a roller-coaster season. Thibodeaux started slowly, looked like he was finding his groove after the first two weeks, then ended up on IR with a wrist injury, missing about a month of games. He’s definitely had to knock off some rust in his first two games back, but now is the time to fully return to form. Brian Burns is going to need some help on the outside in the pass rush, and that's where Thibodeaux has to step up.

Thibodeaux is probably one of the more polarizing players in the eyes of the fanbase. You either love him or you hate him, and stepping up in the absence of a titan like Lawrence would be a good way to get every fan on his side. Thibodeaux has to step up for the fans and the front office. 2025 is the final year he's under contract before the club option, and there’s a good chance Schoen and company could make their decision based on these final five games. Earning that payday should be more than enough motivation for Thibodeaux to be the game-wrecker everyone expects him to be.

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