Dexter Lawrence did not practice all week due to an illness. But Giants head coach Brian Daboll said “knock on wood” his best player “should be good to go” for Sunday’s road game against the New Orleans Saints.
Lawrence is officially listed as questionable for the game.
“Dex is still sick,” Daboll said before practice. “He’ll be out here [standing on the sideline]. We’re not going to practice him. He should be ready to go, though.”
Daboll was asked if Lawrence might have to travel separately from the team.
“I don’t think so,” the Giants’ coach said. “I think he’s kind of getting over it right now. Again, we won’t practice him today, but he’s done a little bit inside with the trainers. We’re going to bring him out here. Knock on wood, he should be good to go.”
Lawrence, 27, a two-time second-team All-Pro, has to play for the Giants (1-3) to put their best foot forward against the winless Saints (0-4).
They’re already down top receiver Malik Nabers, who is out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee.
Lawrence started the season slowly, looking like he wasn’t in game shape coming off last season’s dislocated elbow.
But he broke out in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers with a first quarter interception of Justin Herbert and a 37-yard return to L.A.’s 3-yard line.
That led to a Giants field goal and a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter of the Giants’ first win of a the season, 21-18.
Lawrence logged 45 snaps, 71% of the game’s defensive workload. He only generated one quarterback pressure, but he was double teamed on 23 of his 33 pass rushes (69.7%).
That allowed edges Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter to take advantage of one-on-one matchups and uncork New York’s best pass rush performance of the young season.
That’s why Lawrence’s presence is a must. Not only is a great player. This team is built around him and the pass rush getting home in critical moments.
Knock on wood he’s not just on the field; he’s close to the dominant presence they need to be at their best.
INJURY REPORT
Giants starting safety Tyler Nubin (groin) and backup linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) both are listed as questionable alongside Lawrence.
Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder) is doubtful, but he returned to limited practice participation on Friday. So he’s tracking to possibly play in next Thursday night’s home game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Saints, meanwhile, are decimated by injuries as they still seek their first win of the season.
Starting corner Isaac Yiadom (hamstring), starting defensive end Chase Young (calf), starting right guard Cesar Ruiz (ankle) and backup wide receiver Trey Palmer (ankle) are all out.
And six New Orleans players are questionable: tight end Juwan Johnson (ankle), left guard Trevor Penning (ankle), backup lineman Dillon Radunz (toe) and three players coming off the physically unable to perform list.
That includes tight end/quarterback Taysom Hill (knee), tight end Foster Moreau (knee) and defensive tackle John Ridgeway III.
