NY Giants star suffers crushing injury vs. Cowboys on Thanksgiving (updated)

The New York Giants’ disastrous 2024 season hit another low point on Thanksgiving Day. Late in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys, star defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence suffered an apparent injury to his left arm, adding yet another name to the team’s growing list of sidelined players.

The Giants entered the game already shorthanded, with starting quarterback Tommy DeVito ruled out due to a forearm injury. While DeVito’s absence was already a blow to an offense struggling to stay afloat, Lawrence’s injury feels like a tipping point for a team that’s barely treading water.

Dexter Lawrence heads to the locker room vs. Dallas Cowboys

Lawrence sustained the injury while assisting Brian Burns on a tackle. After the play, he was seen on the sideline consulting with trainers, favoring his left arm before ultimately heading to the locker room for further evaluation. The severity of the injury has yet to be disclosed, but given the state of the Giants’ season, it’s hard to imagine him returning to the game.

The Cowboys wasted no time exploiting Lawrence’s absence. On the very next series, they attacked the now-vulnerable Giants' interior defensive line, leading to a Rico Dowdle rushing touchdown that extended Dallas’ lead to 27-10. Without their defensive anchor, the Giants’ defense looked completely overmatched, leaving little hope for a late-game rally.

Lawrence’s injury encapsulates everything that’s gone wrong for the Giants in 2024. The defense, already struggling to stop the run, became even more porous without their leader. Meanwhile, the offense continues to sputter, showing no signs of life under backup quarterback Drew Lock.

For a team sitting at 2-9, the decision to potentially sideline Lawrence for the remainder of the season feels like a no-brainer. With nothing left to play for but pride, risking further injury to one of the franchise’s few bright spots would be a reckless move by a coaching staff already under fire.

The Giants’ inability to compete on either side of the ball has only intensified scrutiny on head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. Lawrence’s injury is just the latest setback in a season full of them, and it underscores the urgent need for change within the organization.

As New York limps toward the finish line, the question isn’t just whether Lawrence will return to the field this season - it’s whether the team can salvage anything from a year that has spiraled so completely out of control.

Injury update: Dexter Lawrence officially ruled OUT for the remainder of the game.

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