The New York Giants designated a number of key players to return from injured reserve today ahead of a crucial Week 13 matchup with the Washington Commanders this Sunday. Prior to Monday’s practice, the Giants designated left guard Ben Bredeson, pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari, and safety Tony Jefferson to return from injured reserve (per Dan Salamone). These players will be back at practice Monday with a strong likelihood of getting back on the field on Sunday. Bredeson, Ojulari, and Jefferson are critical players for the Giants that will make an instant and serious impact upon their return to the lineup. Big Blue is coming off a loss against the Cowboys in Week 12 and needs to come away with a win in Week 13 against the Commanders. These reinforcements will go a long way toward getting the Giants back on track.
The Giants getting reinforcements ahead of a crucial Week 13 matchup
At 7-4, the New York Giants are serious playoff contenders. However, the team has lost three of its last four games and is entering its toughest stretch on the schedule. Big Blue has four divisional matchups left to play, including Sunday’s upcoming matchup with the 7-5 Washington Commanders. The Giants have this upcoming match with the Commanders to play, another matchup with Washington two weeks later, and two games to play against the 10-1 Eagles this season.
Riddled with injuries, the Giants have lost games in recent weeks with a decimated roster. Bolstering the depth charts with the likes of Ben Bredeson, Azeez Ojulari, and Tony Jefferson will give the Giants a fighting chance heading into the home stretch of the season.
Azeez Ojulari has appeared in only two games for the Giants this season and has not taken the field since Week 4. Ojulari was placed on IR with a calf injury in October but is set to make his return to the lineup in Week 13. Azeez Ojulari is one of the team’s top pass-rushers, totaling 8 sacks in his rookie 2021 season. Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari could combine to create a deadly pass-rushing duo on the edge for the Giants and fortify their defense for the final six games of the year.
Ben Bredeson was the Giants’ starting left guard before being placed on injured reserve while dealing with a knee injury. The left guard position has been a clear weakness in New York’s lineup with Bredeson sidelined. Big Ben Bredeson will provide a massive boost to the Giants’ offense upon his return to the starting lineup.
The New York Giants are thin in the secondary with Xavier McKinney, Adoree’ Jackson, and Fabian Moreau out of the lineup. Thankfully, veteran safety Tony Jefferson will be back in the secondary soon enough as the Giants have designated him to return from injured reserve. Jefferson was placed on IR with a foot injury in October. Big Blue’s secondary has been decimated by injuries all season long, so getting Tony Jefferson back will allow the defense to return to a sense of normalcy.
The Giants’ upcoming matchup with the Washington Commanders could make or break their season. Washington is hot, playing their best football of the season in recent weeks. Since Week 6, the Commanders are 6-1 in their last seven games. The playoffs are a real possibility for Washington, but the NFC East is the NFL’s toughest division this season. The Commanders will enter this matchup hungry for a statement win that could propel them to the postseason. But the New York Giants are looking to snap their losing streak and reaffirm themselves as legitimate playoff contenders. With an influx of talent on its way to New York, the Giants have a chance to get back on the right track this Sunday with a win over the Commanders.