Adoree Jackson, Wan’Dale Robinson headline major Giants injuries in loss to Lions
The Giants might have lost both top corner Adoree Jackson and rookie receiver Wan’Dale Robinson for the long term amid a wave of injuries on Sunday.
Robinson’s outlook is bleak after the rookie left MetLife Stadium on crutches and posted a sad face emoji on Instagram. He got hurt on his final catch of a career day with nine receptions for 100 yards.
“Not having him out there will definitely be a loss,” Saquon Barkley said.
Jackson said he’s still waiting to get an MRI after his X-rays came back OK. Brian Daboll wouldn’t discuss the extent of any player injury, but The Score reported Jackson has an MCL sprain that will keep him out 3-to-5 weeks.
That was just the tip of the injury iceberg, though.
Safety Jason Pinnock (jaw) was taken in an ambulance to a local hospital. Starting center Jon Feliciano (neck) is in doubt for Thanksgiving Day at Dallas. And starting corner Fabian Moreau (ribs) and right tackle Tyre Phillips (neck) also went down.
The Giants are one of the most injured teams in the NFL again this season.
“It started to happen early in the second quarter,” said Feliciano, who has played through a lot this year. “So I fought as far as I [could], and yeah, it’s rough. I’m gonna do everything I can to be out there on Thursday. We’ll see.”
Dexter Lawrence wouldn’t let the injury excuse explain his team’s performance.
“I mean everybody that played this week, played last week,” the Giants’ defensive tackle said. “So we have to be more tuned into our keys and do our job.”
Right tackle (Evan Neal) and edge rusher Azeez Ojulari (calf), who have been sidelined, are getting closer to returning to the lineup. But Thursday still might be too early for both.
Nick McCloud, Rodarius Williams and Cor’Dale Flott all filled in at corner. Richie James manned the slot when Robinson went out early in the fourth.
The offensive line took a beating and finished with three different players from Sunday’s starting five. Only left tackle Andrew Thomas and right guard Mark Glowinski made it through.
Matt Peart replaced Phillips at right tackle early in the second quarter. Daboll benched a finally-healthy Shane Lemieux for Josh Ezeudu at halftime. And Nick Gates replaced Feliciano at center late in the third.
“Continuity is huge,” Thomas said. “It’s tough for an offensive line. But with injuries you can’t make excuses. It’s part of the game.”
Edge rusher Jihad Ward said this all means new players or backups are going to have to step up immediately.
“This ain’t no little a— kids’ sport. This is a grown man’s sport,” Ward said. “So if you’re sitting around here like I ain’t playin’, it’s your time to shine now.”
GANO: FOUR IVs, TWO MISSED XPs
Giants kicker Graham Gano (illness) needed four IVs in his left arm to stay hydrated and make it through Sunday’s loss.
“I wouldn’t say I was physically ready today,” he said with a mask on and his head down. “I probably look how I feel.”
Gano wouldn’t use his sickness as an excuse for his second missed extra point, though.
His first miss was partially blocked by Lions DL John Cominsky.
“The second one I just gotta make it,” Gano said. “There was a right to left wind blowing, so I aimed right-middle and it moved. Just gotta make it. No real excuse for it. Put it down the middle.”
ODDS AND ENDS
The Lions defense generated 17 QB pressures on 44 Daniel Jones dropbacks, per NFL NextGenStats. The Giants defense generated only three on 26 Jared Goff dropbacks. That’s a worrisome stat to say the least … Thomas said the Lions defense “had some movement up front” and “did a good job of being physical” in holding Saquon Barkley to 22 rush yards on 15 carries. “We didn’t do a good job of getting to the second level and giving him lanes,” Thomas added. “We gotta be better at that.” … Sunday’s inactives were Neal (knee), TE Daniel Bellinger (eye), WR David Sills, OLB Quincy Roche, G Jack Anderson and ILB Austin Calitro.
