As if Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams didn’t present a significant hurdle for the New York Giants, Week 7 will be even more tumultuous with the majority of the starting receiver core injured.
The Giants will once again be without the majority of Daniel Jones’s weapons, ranging from Saquon Barkley to Kadarius Toney, who aggravated an ankle injury he’s been dealing with since the beginning of the regular season. Toney was on pace for another stellar outing against the Rams, tallying three receptions on the first six snaps of the game for the Giants’ offense.
Nonetheless, Toney is expected to miss Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers due to the ankle, which takes yet another premium play-maker out of the equation.
In addition, to Toney, Golladay is still working his way back from a hyperextended knee, which he suffered against Dallas. I wouldn’t expect him to make an appearance in Week 7 either, aiming to return in Week 8 alongside Toney and potentially Barkley.
Barkley is still ailing from a low ankle sprain, which swelled to the size of an apple after he stepped on Dallas CB Jourdan Lewis’s foot. The star running back has now missed 18 games in his career, further questioning his long-term future with the team.
Otherwise, receiver John Ross picked up a hamstring injury, and Kaden Smith has been dealing with a knee injury the past few weeks. Azeez Ojulari, starting outside linebacker, missed practice due to a personal reason.
The Giants are in big trouble offensively as they prepare to take on the Panthers, who have a solid group of pass rushers, including Haason Reddick and Brian Burns. Do the Giants stand a chance? If their defense plays up to their potential, they can do enough to slow down Sam Darnold, who has struggled the past few weeks. However, the offense hasn’t proved capable of succeeding, let alone without Andrew Thomas and all of their primary weapons.