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New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday with a low ankle sprain, and appears like a long-shot to play against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
Without Peppers, not only are the Giants thin at the safety position, they’re lacking a bit in the energy department.
“Honestly, he’s the energy guy. He brings a lot of energy to the group, positivity, motor, things like that,” defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence told reporters on Thursday. “Now you have to fill that void. Obviously, he’s an amazing player and we’d obviously love to have him play. But now it’s someone else’s time to take on that role and have that responsibility just to be that guy. That’s why you have second team or you have backup guys that can fill that role.”
The Giants have both Logan Ryan and Julian Love who can fill the role at safety, but who will bring the energy?
“Definitely,” Lawrence said when asked if he can energize the defense. “I try to bring it all the time. Like I said in previous times, the d-line tries to be those guys who set the tone every day, who bring the energy, who try to lead everybody from effort and running to the ball and things like that.”
Unfortunately for the Giants, their defensive line, which should be the strength of the team, has been inconsistent over the first three weeks of the regular season.
More than just replacing what Peppers brings to the table, Lawrence & Co. must up their energy so they can’t get off the field on third down and give the Giants’ offense a chance.
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