Azeez

Ojulari

Now that he’s set to miss at least four weeks, it’s likely that there’s no reason the Giants will feel the need to bring Ojulari back on an expiring contract for Week 18. Assuming the toe injury isn’t more serious than publicly known, Ojulari’s second-round pedigree and seven sacks should put him on the free-agent market in 2025 as a third EDGE, with at least some chance a team would see him as more than that. The Giants look very foolish for not trading him at the deadline, but such is the way of the Giants.

Ojulari is in the midst of one of his best seasons as a pro. Through 11 games, the veteran pass rusher has recorded six sacks and has 28 tackles on the year to go with 10 TFLs. We don’t yet know the severity of his injury, but it’s possible the Giants will be without one of their top pass rushers in Thursday’s game against the Cowboys.

The price they wanted was simply too high for the market to bear, per multiple reports. (The Preston Smith deal probably shows you where the market was actually at, versus the Giants wanting a fifth-rounder.) Ojulari will enter free agency at season’s end instead.

Edge rusher is Arizona’s biggest area of need and Russini notes that the Cardinals have called the Giants about Azeez Ojulari as well as the Titans about Arden Key. After suffering multiple injuries at the position, the first place Cardinals are looking to make a move, though it’s unclear if anything will materialize before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Ojulari suffered the ankle injury in Week 5 and was placed on injured reserve after the game. The Giants opened his practice window this week and Ojulari looks poised to return after missing the minimum of four games. Ojulari also missed time with a hamstring issue earlier in the year. He will look to get his season back on track versus Dallas this week.

Ojulari was active for the Wild Card Round but played limited snaps. The Giants should look to get him more involved this week but returning to an every-down role while playing through a questionable tag is unlikely. Ojulari has been the Giants’ top pass rusher despite an injury-shortened year, posting 5.5 sacks over seven games.

Ojulari played just eight snaps in his return in the Wild Card Round. The Giants limited Ojulari’s practice reps but should expand his role this week. Ojulari has been the Giants’ top pass rusher when healthy, posting 5.5 sacks and 7 QB Hits in the seven games (five starts) he’s been active for this year.

Ojulari has been playing through a calf injury all year. He returned for Weeks 3-4 before sitting out the last two weeks. Jihad Ward will continue to start with Ojulari sidelined.

Thibodeaux was optimistic about playing on Thursday when he spoke with the media, but only worked on the side with the trainers on Friday. He was officially listed as a limited participant in all three practices this week, so he seems close to returning. Azeez Ojulari (calf) also is doubtful and also was a limited participant in all three practices this week.

Ojulari underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage this week. The second-year pass rusher is likely to sit out the Giants’ preseason finale but shouldn’t miss any time to open the year.