Things went from bad to worse after the New York Giants’ Week 13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
“Giants potential defensive player of the year Dexter Lawrence, who suffered a dislocated elbow in the loss to the Cowboys, is expected to miss the rest of the season, with [head coach] Brian Daboll saying it’s ‘long-term,’” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport relayed on November 29, otherwise known as Black Friday.
Rapoport added that “with 5 games to go, Lawrence has no choice but to look to 2025.”
Just after the Lawrence news, Rapoport reported another “likely” season-ending injury to Giants starting tight end Theo Johnson, per Daboll. Johnson suffered a “foot injury” on Thanksgiving.
These two expected “season-ending injuries” were confirmed by New York Post beat reporter Paul Schwartz, among others.
Giants’ Dexter Lawrence Was in the Midst of a Career Season in 2024
Despite the Giants’ 2-10 record, Lawrence was in the midst of a career season. The game wrecker had already achieved 9.0 sacks in his first 12 starts, which is a career-high — and that’s with opposing offensive lines double-teaming him often throughout the year.
Lawrence also logged a career-best 8 tackles for a loss, and his production from the nose tackle position was practically unheard of.
“Dexter Lawrence [has] 96 pressures when lined up at nose tackle since 2022,” PFF NY Giants noted on November 26. “The next closest player? 19 pressures.”
Lawrence will finish the first 13 weeks of the 2024 campaign second behind star edge rusher Brian Burns in quarterback pressures — per Pro Football Focus. He also ranked fifth for all Giants in terms of key defensive stops, and fourth in average depth of tackle on run defense (minimum 50 run defense snaps).
Needless to say, his presence will be sorely missed for the remainder of the year, but the priority will be having Lawrence healthy and ready to go in 2025.
Giants Rookie TE Theo Johnson Finished Second in Receiving Yards vs. Cowboys
Similar to the Lawrence injury, the timing of Johnson’s foot issue is a real shame. The Giants’ 2024 fourth-round selection appeared to be coming into his own a little more in recent weeks.
Johnson has had an issue with dropped passes as a rookie, dropping 5 in 12 starts according to PFF, but his Week 13 effort against the Cowboys tied a career-high in receptions and set a new career-high in terms of receiving yards.
With Drew Lock at quarterback, Johnson caught 5-of-5 targets for 54 receiving yards. His only other 5-reception outing came against the Seattle Seahawks, and the tight end’s previous personal receiving yardage record was 51 yards against the Washington Commanders on November 3.
The performance in Dallas finished second behind star wide receiver — and fellow rookie — Malik Nabers. It would have been beneficial for the Giants to continue Johnson’s development down the stretch, providing him with more and more regular season experience.
Having said that, with Johnson now sidelined, perhaps Big Blue can get a real look at new pass-catching tight end Greg Dulcich.
The Giants just claimed Dulcich off waivers on November 26. He’s a former third-round pick that recorded 33 catches for 411 receiving yards as a rookie before falling out of favor in Denver.
The G-Men are Dulcich’s second NFL opportunity, and he’s the most likely player to step into Johnson’s playmaking role moving forward with Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz operating more as blocking and in-line tight ends.
