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The New York Giants came into the 2020 regular season somewhat thin at linebacker and things have only gotten worse since then.
David Mayo (knee) and Oshane Ximines (shoulder) remain on injured reserve, and Lorenzo Carter has been lost for the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 5.
That leaves the Giants in a somewhat precarious position, which is something Kyler Fackrell, who was signed as a free agent earlier this year, openly admits.
“I feel for Zo. We’ve had him in our thoughts and prayers,” Fackrell told reporters on Wednesday. “It’s rough, we’re a little thin at outside backer right now. Maybe just a little bit, I think I ended up playing every snap on Sunday.”
Playing every snap in the NFL is a tall order, but Fackrell is prepared to shoulder that burden over the next several weeks if it’s what the Giants ultimately need. And they may.
“I think that will be the plan moving forward, at least that’s what I’m preparing for. I don’t mind it. I would prefer to be on the field,” he said.
In the interim, the Giants may also boost the roles of rookie linebacker Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin, as well as Tae Crowder, who plays more on the inside.
It’s not an ideal scenario for late-round rookies to see a lot of field time, but circumstances dictate that need. And Fackrell feels confident that if called upon, they can hold their own.
“[Coughling and Brown] done a great job, even through training camp and everything. I feel for the rookies this year with how everything has been with COVID-19 and not getting any offseason. I feel like they have come in at a big disadvantage,” Fackrell said. “They’ve both done a great job. I think both of them have started to blossom here, just getting comfortable with the speed of the game and everything. I think definitely we can rely on them to step in when we need them to on defense.
“[Crowder] a really talented guy, I think he has a great nose for the ball. His confidence has been building. It started with special teams, but they’ve kind of chosen to give him that bigger role. I think he has stepped into it really well.”
Even with the rookies likely seeing increased roles, the burden ultimately falls on the shoulders of Fackrell and veteran Markus Golden, both of whom are ready to step up and do what’s needed.
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