It's business as usual for the 2-8 New York Giants, as they look to bounce back from another Week 10 late-game meltdown in Chicago. The only things that have really changed since Sunday's 24-20 loss are the head coach, the starting quarterback, and the energy around the building.
That's right, folks — for those of you living under a rock, Brian Daboll is out as head coach. Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is in as interim HC. And Jameis Winston is getting the start for a concussed Jaxson Dart, who's going through protocol this week.
Related: Giants already giving Mike Kafka a real fighting chance in Week 11 vs Packers
The G-Men will certainly have their hands full when the Green Bay Packers come to town in Week 11. The Cheeseheads are coming off a brutal primetime 10-7 offensive showing against the Philadelphia Eagles — putting their own HC, Matt LaFleur, on the hot seat — and looking for a get-right game against the free-falling G-Men. If this first report is any indication, it could be a brutal debut for Kafka.
Giants’ initial Week 11 injury report is a nightmare for interim HC Mike Kafka
With star receiver Malik Nabers out for the year with a torn ACL, rookie running back sensation Cam Skattebo joining him with a dislocated ankle, and Dart ruled out with a concussion, the difficulties were already mounting for the first-time head coach. Factor in some of the other guys, and this thing could get ugly fast:
Did Not Participate in Practice:
- QB Jaxson Dart (Concussion)
- K Graham Gano (Neck)
- DL Chauncey Golston (Neck)
- LB Neville Hewitt (Foot)
- OL Evan Neal (Hamstring)
- SAF Tyler Nubin (Neck)
- DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (Toe)
- LB Bobby Okereke (Shoulder)
- WR Darius Slayton (Hamstring)
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (Shoulder)
Limited in Practice:
- CB Paulson Adebo (Knee)
- TE Daniel Bellinger (Groin)
- OLB Victor Dimukeje (Shoulder)
- C John Michael Schmitz (Shin)
From the opening report, it looks like the 38-year-old interim HC could be without five or six starters for Sunday's tilt.
Slayton is a guy to keep an eye out for. He suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the season, which caused him to miss Weeks 6 and 7, only to re-aggravate it in the loss to the Bears. If he's a no-go, that puts a significant strain on Winston and his Giants debut. Look for a healthy serving of tight end Theo Johnson, wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. to help elevate a depleted offense.
The linebacker room continues to get crushed with Okereke and Hewitt appearing on the initial report. Micah McFadden is still on IR with a foot injury suffered in Week 1, as is Darius Muasau, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 9. That leaves Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Zaire Barnes as the seemingly literal last line of defense.
On the defensive front side of things, not seeing Rakeem "Nacho" Nuñez-Roches and Kayvon Thibodeaux at practice could put even more strain on the already-thin linebacker unit, which is just fantastic, as Jordan Love and the Packers will gladly accept a limited opponent.
Wednesday's more interesting development came from the special teams group, more specifically, the kicker room, where Gano missed practice with a neck injury. Fortunately, veteran Younghoe Koo had a great debut in Week 10 with two made field goals and extra points. This could be the official changing of the guard.
All in all, the first injury report looks more like an impossible mountain to climb than anything else, but don't put anything past a mid-season head coach switch-up and Famous Jameis fireworks. It's looking like a rough Sunday for the boys, but crazier things have happened.