The hits keep coming for the New York Giants, who lost standout defender Dexter Lawrence for the rest of the season.
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Lawrence suffered a dislocated elbow Thursday during a 27-20 loss to the rival Cowboys. Head coach Brian Daboll then met with media members on Friday and confirmed that the veteran would be out of commission.
Lawrence suffered the injury on a play in the third quarter. Linebacker Bobby Okereke collided with his arm while it was extended and dislocated it.
"I would say that I anticipate it being a long-term injury, the rest of the season," Daboll said. "Still going to have to take a look at a few different things, but not very optimistic about it."
A first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Lawrence has been a mainstay on the Giants defensive line throughout his career.
He has routinely drawn double- and triple-teams while opening up opportunities for other defenders. He has posted 30 sacks, 95 quarterback hits, 11 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, and 310 combined tackles.
This season alone Lawrence leads the team with nine sacks. The next closest players are Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari with six sacks each. According to Pro Football Focus, Lawrence has an overall grade of 89.9.
The big defender is not the only member of the Giants who will miss the remaining five games of the regular season. Rookie tight end Theo Johnson is also likely done for the year after suffering a foot injury against the Cowboys.
"I think there's potential of that," Daboll said about Johnson's injury. "We are going to get a few more tests, but I definitely think there's a potential of that (being season-ending)."
The fourth-round pick out of Penn State has caught 29 passes this season for 331 yards and one touchdown while working with three different quarterbacks. He is fourth on the team in receiving yards behind fellow rookie Malik Nabers (740 yards), Darius Slayton (477 yards), and Wan'Dale Robinson (447 yards).
