Azeez Ojulari has likely played his last snap for the NY Giants

Azeez Ojulari may have already played his last snap as a member of the New York Giants. The 24-year-old outside linebacker injured his toe during the abysmal 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12.

After logging just 12 snaps, Ojulari was sidelined for the remainder of the game. Although his injury isn’t expected to require surgery, it’s significant enough to sideline him for several weeks. As a result, the Giants have placed him on injured reserve (IR).

It’s yet another tough break for a player who has shown flashes of brilliance but has been plagued by injuries throughout his young career. With just six games left in the regular season, Ojulari may have taken his last snap in a Giants uniform.

Injuries continue to derail Azeez Ojulari’s career

Since entering the league, Ojulari has struggled to stay on the field. After an impressive rookie campaign with 8.0 sacks, injuries have repeatedly derailed his progress. He missed significant time in 2022 and 2023, and while he was showing flashes of his old form this year with six sacks and 10 quarterback pressures, his latest setback once again leaves the Giants without a key defensive piece.

Without Ojulari, the Giants will rely heavily on Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux to generate pressure, putting even more strain on a defense that has already struggled to stop the run and rush the passer consistently. With Thibodeaux also returning from injury, the team’s depth will be tested in a major way.

This injury also highlights the string of bad luck that has defined the Giants’ season. From Daniel Jones’s release to Malik Nabers’s public frustrations, and now Ojulari’s absence, 2024 has been nothing short of a nightmare for Big Blue.

Ojulari’s stint on IR guarantees he’ll miss at least four games, and with the season effectively lost, the Giants are unlikely to rush him back. While a Week 17 return against the Indianapolis Colts is possible, the team may choose to play it safe, especially with Ojulari set to hit free agency in 2025.

The edge rusher is in the final year of his rookie contract, and despite being the subject of trade rumors before the deadline, the Giants held onto him. Now, his future in New York is more uncertain than ever, and there’s a real chance his time in blue is over.

To fill the roster spot, the Giants claimed tight end Greg Dulcich off waivers from the Broncos. A promising player out of UCLA, Dulcich showed flashes as a rookie with 411 yards and two touchdowns. However, recurring hamstring injuries have derailed his career, limiting him to just two games in 2023 and minimal action this season.

Dulcich’s addition brings some upside but feels like a minor depth move for a team facing significant long-term challenges.

As the Giants limp toward the end of a disastrous season, Ojulari’s absence is another setback for a team that just can’t seem to catch a break. Whether he’ll don a Giants uniform again remains an open question.

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