Despite trending in the wrong direction, there is some optimism for one of the New York Giants‘ best players. All-Pro DT Dexter Lawrence is dealing with an elbow injury and picked up a “Did Not Participate” in practice on Wednesday, and will not participate in practice again on Friday, missing his second straight practice.
However, Giants interim HC Mike Kafka said on Friday that Lawrence has a chance to play on Monday night against the Patriots, per Art Stapleton of USA Today. He’s getting treatment for the injury and his game status will likely depend on how he progresses over the weekend.
If New York gets Lawrence back for their Monday Night Football game, it would be a huge boost to their defense. ED Kayvon Thibodeaux is still unlikely to play, hurting the strength of one of the league’s most dangerous defensive lines. Lawrence is one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL, a rare distinction for a nose tackle. Yet he continues to level up his game each year for the Giants, and his return would be monstrous against an injured New England offensive front.
The New York Giants Need Improved Defensive Coaching
Ishika Samant/GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the New York Giants runs after intercepting the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
This is an extremely talented Giants defense, with an absolute star in Lawrence and plenty of other great players such as Thibodeaux, rookie first-round ED Abdul Carter, LB Bobby Okereke, CB Paulson Adebo, and S Javon Holland — among others.
Yet New York ranks 30th in the league in both total defense and scoring defense. This Giants defense simply is not playing well, despite their talent. No one would confuse them for having the deepest unit or highest star power of any defense in the league, but they should be better than this.
With Brian Daboll fired as head coach a few weeks ago, a complete reconstruction of this coaching staff seems inevitable. Kafka, the former offensive coordinator under Daboll, will have his chance to audition for the full-time role. But it’s rare for interim coaches to stick around long-term, so this will likely be an entirely new staff next season. Perhaps they can wrangle better production out of this collection of players.
The New York Giants Will Continue to Evaluate Rookie QB Jaxson Dart
Stapleton also confirmed that rookie first-round QB Jaxson Dart will start for New York on Monday after missing the last two games with a concussion. Dart has shown immense promise this season, and while he’s lacked consistency, his ability to threaten defenses as a runner has opened up passing lanes for him when he’s executing more traditional drop-backs.
Almost nothing Dart does this season will change the fact that he’ll enter next season as the starter for the Giants, short of a serious injury. But the better he plays, the more confidence he’ll build, which is critical for a young quarterback. Especially one who plays in New York.
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