The fallout from Sunday’s 31-18 Giants loss to the Detroit Lions was as bad as initially feared.
Giants rookie receiver Wan’Dale Robinson tore his right ACL, and his season is over, head coach Brian Daboll said Monday. Top corner Adoree Jackson is out 4-to-6 weeks with a sprained MCL in his right knee, sources confirmed to the Daily News.
Robinson set career highs with nine catches and 100 receiving yards but went down on a fourth quarter hit near the Giants sideline and left MetLife Stadium on crutches.
“Wan’Dale had a good game,” Daboll said on a Monday Zoom before the Giants’ walkthrough practice. “He was really trending in the right direction.”
Daboll said all of Sunday’s other injuries were still being evaluated, but his Giants (7-3) are decimated with only a couple days before they visit the Dallas Cowboys (7-3). And they ballooned to 9-point underdogs in some sportsbooks with Monday’s news.
“You can’t focus on the outside and what people are saying,” center Nick Gates, who might have to start Thursday, said on Zoom. “Heck, nobody’s given us a chance all year.”
Six starters joined Jackson on Monday’s projected injury report as non-participants: C Jon Feliciano (neck), CB Fabian Moreau (oblique)TE Daniel Bellinger (eye), G Josh Ezeudu (neck), WR Richie James (knee) and RT Tyre Phillips (neck).
James’ presence is a concern because he was scheduled to step up at slot receiver in Robinson’s absence. Moreau’s injury was changed from ribs on Sunday to oblique on Monday. Right tackle Evan Neal (knee) and S Jason Pinnock (jaw) were limited.
Daboll didn’t sound optimistic that Neal (sprained MCL), edge Azeez Ojulari (calf) or Bellinger would be able to return on the short week. But all of those questions will get answered closer to game time.
Daboll wouldn’t discuss Odell Beckham Jr.’s reportedly planned visit to the Giants after Thanksgiving.
“Not at this time I can’t,” the coach said.
But the Giants have been crushed by an astounding amount of severe injuries this season and annually remain one of the league’s most injured teams.
Four of their 11 rookie draft picks have torn ACLs since the start of training camp: Robinson, DT D.J. Davidson, OT Marcus McKethan and LB Darrian Beavers. Veteran WR Sterling Shepard tore his ACL, and veteran WR Collin Johnson tore his Achilles.
Nine of their 11 rookies have missed at least one game due to injury. Guard Ezeudu and LB Micah McFadden are the only two who haven’t.
Tons of players have sprained MCLs in their knees, including Robinson, Neal, edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, DL Leonard Williams and WR Kenny Golladay. Left guard Ben Bredeson is on IR with a sprained PCL.
Ojulari has barely played all season due to calf injuries. DT Nick Williams tore his biceps and is out for the year. Kadarius Toney barely played due to hamstring injuries before his trade. And that’s not even the full list.
The Giants will have to try and put their best on the field in Texas on Thursday, even if that may be impossible given how shorthanded they are.
“We have no choice,” Leonard Williams said, “but to quickly move on.”
