Giants do not plan on trading Azeez Ojulari

The New York Giants reportedly have no plans to cut or trade edge rusher Azeez Ojulari following the acquisition of Brian Burns.

The New York Giants made a big splash early in free agency, acquiring edge rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers.

Immediately after that trade, the Giants signed Burns to a five-year extension worth $150 million with $87 million guaranteed.

That’s a hefty price tag for a team still cleaning up a messy salary cap situation. And it might lead one to believe that some cuts or trades are coming to help balance out the financial spreadsheet.

One potential option is fellow edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will account for a cap hit of $2.2 million.

Ojulari has failed to reach his ceiling since joining the Giants as a second-round pick in 2021. He’s also missed 16 games over that span due to a multitude of injuries, but despite that, Big Blue has no plans to sever ties.

Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports that the Giants do not plan to trade Ojulari and intend to keep him as part of their pass rush rotation, albeit in a more limited role.

Ojulari may seem expendable, but the Giants aren’t planning to trade the 23-year-old as he enters the final year of his rookie contract, according to a league source. Having a third edge rusher with 16 sacks over the past three seasons gives the Giants much better edge depth than they’ve had in years.

It’s not ideal for Ojulari to have his contract year crashed by Burns. But even pass-rush specialists cash in, so Ojulari could secure a solid payday if he’s productive in a reduced role.

Ojulari is still entirely capable of being a productive player for the Giants, but he must find a way to remain on the field. Perhaps a smaller, more specified role will help keep him healthy.

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Giants’ 9 biggest disappointments of 2023

The New York Giants regressed significantly in 2023 and these nine players were among the most disappointing.

The 2023 season was a major downer for the New York Giants. There were a few surprises and glimmers of hope on the defensive side of the ball, but it wasn’t enough to extend the season.

The front office issues plagued the team and resulted in more upheaval with the “parting of ways” with Wink Martindale.

In the wake of the blinders being ripped off around the whole Wink/Brian Daboll fiasco, let’s take a look at nine players (in no particular order) who disappointed the most in 2023.

Giants injury report: Darren Waller designated to return from IR

The New York Giants have designated TE Darren Waller to return from injured reserve (IR) and he could play on Sunday vs. New Orleans.

The New York Giants returned to practice on Thursday — their first full practice of the week — and the first order of business was a significant one.

Just prior to taking the field, the team announced that tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) had been designated to return from injured reserve (IR). If all goes well, he could see a few snaps on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Waller indicated on Wednesday that he was close to a return but was just awaiting the green light from trainers.

In other positive news, every single player on the active roster participated on at least a limited basis for the second straight day. All have a chance to play in Week 15 — right tackle Evan Neal included.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: N/A

Limited participant: OL Evan Neal (ankle), CB Cor’Dale Flott (shoulder), NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DL A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring/finger), LB Isaiah Simmons (ankle), TE Darren Waller (hamstring)

Full participant: WR Parris Campbell (knee), LB Azeez Ojulari (shoulder)

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Giants injury report: Evan Neal returns to practice

New York Giants RT Evan Neal returned to practice on Wednesday, while four others, including NT Dexter Lawrence, were limited.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday following a stunning Week 14 upset of the Green Bay Packers.

Given that the Giants played on Monday night, they were limited to a walkthrough on Wednesday. They will have full practices on both Thursday and Friday before traveling down to New Orleans on Saturday.

The positive news opening Week 15 is that the team sustained no new injuries against Green Bay. Everyone on the active roster, right tackle Evan Neal included, participated in the walkthrough on at least a limited basis.

Unfortunately, there was also some negative news.

Daboll revealed that the 21-day window for tight end Darren Waller, who is currently on injured reserve (IR), was not opened. He did not practice on Wednesday and seems unlikely to play on Sunday against the Saints unless there is a drastic change in 24 hours.

“We’ll see where we’re at here, making progress. Getting closer,” Daboll said of Waller.

The Giants’ full (projected) Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: N/A

Limited participant: OL Evan Neal (ankle), CB Cor’Dale Flott (shoulder), NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), LB Azeez Ojulari (shoulder), DL A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring/finger)

Full participant: WR Parris Campbell (knee)

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Giants-Commanders Week 11: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

The New York Giants won their Week 11 game against the Washington Commanders. Here are the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams.

Stop the presses! The New York Giants have won a football game!

Despite being nearly 10-point road underdogs, the Giants managed to do what they always do on Sunday afternoon at FedEx Field — find a way to make the Washington Commanders look more futile than they are.

Led by undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito, who tossed three touchdowns in the game, the Giants took it to Washington from the jump. The defense tallied four sacks and Big Blue was +6 in turnover ratio.

It was a nice change of pace.

Here are the snap counts that contributed to the Giants’ most recent win.

Offensive snaps: 55
Defensive snaps: 81
Special teams snaps: 29

There wasn’t much rotation on offense in this game. Eight players took more than 90 percent of the snaps and 11 took more than 50 percent of the snaps. Notable, however, was the increased usage of wide receiver Sterling Shepard for the second week in a row. He seems to be getting his job back.

Defensively, four players took all 100 percent of the 81 snaps, which is entirely too much no matter what position they’re playing.

Linebacker Azeez Ojulari took 49 total snaps but you’d hardly know it as his impact was minimal.

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Giants injury report: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jalin Hyatt making progress

New York Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie WR Jalin Hyatt took a step forward in concussion protocol and could play in Week 11.

The New York Giants were back on the practice field on Thursday and they made a few positive strides from the day prior.

Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence returned from his veteran rest day, while both linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt took a step forward in concussion protocol. They were limited and have a chance to play on Sunday.

The same could not be said for veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who did not participate for the second straight day and is unlikely to suit up against the Washington Commanders.

Meanwhile, linebacker Azeez Ojulari was listed as limited with yet another new injury.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Evan Neal (ankle), CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion)

Limited participant: CB Deonte Banks (ankle), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), CB Cor’Dale Flott (shoulder), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), OL Andrew Thomas (knee), WR Jalin Hyatt (concussion), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (concussion), LB Bobby Okereke (hip), LB Azeez Ojulari (ankle)

Full participant: RB Deon Jackson (concussion), NT Dexter Lawrence (rest), QB Tommy DeVito (shoulder), S Xavier McKinney (rib), S Jason Pinnock (thumb/ankle)

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Giants activate Azeez Ojulari from IR, elevate 2 from practice squad

The New York Giants have activated LB Azeez Ojulari from IR and elevated two, including kicker Randy Bullock, from their practice squad.

The New York Giants officially activated linebacker Azeez Ojulari from injured reserve (IR) on Saturday. He is listed as questionable to play in Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys.

“Making his way back,” head coach Brian Daboll said when asked about Ojulari on Friday. “Yeah, making his way back.”

Ojulari has missed the last four games after suffering an ankle injury against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5. He also missed time earlier this season due to a hamstring injury.

In limited action, Ojulari has recorded just two tackles this season. However, he vows to be “destructive” upon his return.

“I have to take these eight games I’ve got and take advantage of every opportunity to the fullest and max it out,” he said, via the New York Post. “Be destructive. Be who I am.”

Meanwhile, the Giants have opted against placing right tackle Evan Neal (ankle) on IR.

Finally, the Giants have elevated kicker Randy Bullock and tight end Tyree Jackson from their practice squad. For Bullock, it is his second consecutive activation.

“Go through it again today like we did last week and then make our decision,” Daboll said on Friday when asked who would kick in Week 10.

The Giants also carried two kickers on their game-day roster last week — Cade York on the 53-man roster and Bullock on a standard elevation. Despite that, neither attempted a field goal nor a point after attempt.

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Giants injury report: Parris Campbell remains limited in practice

New York Giants wide receiver Parris Campbell remains limited in practice alongside three others, while four did not participate on Thursday.

The New York Giants took the field for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 10 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

As expected, right tackle Evan Neal remains out, while cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and running back Deon Jackson continue to work their way through concussion protocol.

After a veteran rest day, nose tackle Dexter Lawrence returned to the field and reassumed his place on the first-team defense.

Offensive lineman Mark Glowinski was added as a non-participant, but his absence was excused.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Evan Neal (knee), CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion), RB Deon Jackson (concussion), OL Mark Glowinski (personal)

Limited participant: WR Parris Campbell (hamstring), RB Jashaun Corbin (hamstring), LB Azeez Ojulari (ankle), OL Andrew Thomas (hamstring)

Full participant: S Dane Belton (back), OL Justin Pugh (ankle), NT Dexter Lawrence (rest), OL Sean Harlow (personal)

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Giants injury report: Azeez Ojulari designated to return from IR

New York Giants LB Azeez Ojulari was designated to return from injured reserve (IR) and returned to practice on Wednesday.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday and looked like an entirely different team from just a week ago.

Quarterbacks Daniel Jones (knee) and Tyrod Taylor (ribs) are both on injured reserve, ushering in the era of Tommy DeVito and Matt Barkley, who was signed from the practice squad earlier in the day.

Additionally, right tackle Evan Neal, who suffered a second knee injury in Week 9, is considered “week-to-week” according to head coach Brian Daboll.

On the positive end of things, linebacker Azeez Ojulari was designated to return from injured reserve and returned to practice on Wednesday.

“Hopefully he’ll be ready to go this week,” Daboll said.

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Evan Neal (knee), CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion), RB Deon Jackson (concussion), OL Sean Harlow, (personal), NT Dexter Lawrence (rest)

Limited participant: WR Parris Campbell (hamstring), RB Jashaun Corbin (hamstring), LB Azeez Ojulari (ankle), OL Andrew Thomas (hamstring)

Full participant: S Dane Belton (back), OL Justin Pugh (ankle)

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7 players Giants should consider trading at the deadline

The NFL trade deadline is just around the corner and as likely sellers, the New York Giants should consider trading these 7 players.

The New York Giants have come out of the gate this season with a 1-5 record, which means co-owner John Mara will once again face the indignity of sitting through another December of meaningless football.

The Giants’ chances of qualifying for the postseason is a whopping 2 percent. It would take a miracle for them to even get close to a .500 record this season.

Since they can’t beat Dallas or Philadelphia, whom they have three remaining games with, that would put them at eight losses even if they won their other remaining games.

Do you see miracles coming out of this team? If you do, then power to you. The real course of action here is for general manager Joe Schoen to identify his core and attempt to deal as many non-core pieces as possible by the October 31 NFL trading deadline.

Here are seven trade candidates they may consider.