The Giants’ pass rush was slated to look quite different entering this season, given the trade of Jason Pierre-Paul and switch to a 3-4 defense. It may start the year missing its most prominent component as well.
Olivier Vernon is dealing with a high ankle sprain, Pat Shurmur said during a radio interview with WFAN 660 (via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, on Twitter).
Vernon was carted off a Giants practice field late last month but was believed to have avoided a serious injury. While a high ankle sprain isn’t considered an especially serious setback, it can take some time to surmount. Although Vernon’s status for Sunday’s Giants-Jaguars game isn’t known, Shurmur said his top pass rusher is a fast healer. That said, he probably shouldn’t be expected to be 100 percent if he is able to play in Week 1.
Vernon experienced ankle trouble last season. He missed four games — his first four absences as a pro — because of it.
James Bettcher‘s implemented his 3-4 scheme in New York, shifting Vernon from defensive end to outside linebacker. Vernon missing time would thrust Connor Barwin or Lorenzo Carter into a starting role opposite Kareem Martin, with each of these players not being quite on Vernon’s level in terms of pass-rushing consistency.
Gotta love it. Man was having a monster preseason, was finally healthy, then gets caught up in a teammates feet and sprains ankle. 1st report, it’s nothing just holding him out as a precaution. Then it’s high ankle sprain (which is the worst to have as involves tensions as well as ligaments), he had the same thing in the same ankle last year and missed 4 games and was ineffective in those that he did play for rest of the year.
As someone who’s also a Mets fan, the next report will be surgery with plates and pins being put in. Oh the pain!
There really should be a Hall of Fame for players who excel in meaningless games with a “monster preseason”…lol
RockHauler,I’m with you!By any chance,are you a Ranger hockey fan too?I definitely feel your pain.
This guy has not been worth a penny of that contract. He’d get hurt stumbling out of the shower. When can big blue sever ties and recoup some cap money???
I think after this season is complete. He signed something like a 5/$85m deal, I believe with around $50m guaranteed.