*Oshane Ximines’ summer of opportunity will continue Sunday.
The fourth-year outside linebacker received numerous first team reps early in training camp in part because Azeez Ojulari was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Ojulari returned to the field on Aug. 14, but a week later top draft choice Kayvon Thibodeaux suffered a sprained MCL vs. Cincinnati. Elerson Smith and Jihad Ward have also been sidelined, leaving Ximines as the Giants’ most seasoned available edge rusher.
“I feel like we got a great group of guys,” Ximines said. “I really think highly of everybody in the room from top to bottom. And we motivate each other every day, and it’s a good group. And I’m really looking forward to competing with these guys this year.”
With most of the group unavailable, he could get significant playing time against the Jets.
“Every day’s an opportunity,” Ximines said. “You got to look at it that way in this league, and I feel like no matter where the chips fall or where I’m at, I look at every day, every rep as an opportunity. Practice, game, it doesn’t matter.”
Ximines had 4.5 sacks while playing all 16 games as a rookie in 2019. He has since played a total of only 14 games without recording a sack. A shoulder injury cost him most of the 2020 season and last year he was often inactive and missed a game with COVID. Now he’s trying to get back to the productive player he was three years ago.
“My rookie year feels like it was ages ago now,” Ximines said. “But it happened fast. I’m looking up now. I’m in year four, but I feel like if I can just get back to making plays like that, it’ll be good for me. And it’ll be good for team, too.”
With a bigger opportunity to impress, Ximines has caught the eye of coach Brian Daboll.
“I think he’s done a good job,” Daboll said. “He’s been ready to go. He’s been available. He’s been improving. He’s a big-body guy. Got heavy hands. Does a good job of setting the edge. Think he’s picked up the defense well. (Outside linebackers Coach) Drew (Wilkins) has done a good job with him. So, we need that from our guys.”
*Daboll revealed a list of players who will not be in uniform for the game Sunday vs. the Jets: in addition to Thibodeaux, Ojulari and Smith, it includes wide receivers Sterling Shepard and C.J. Board; offensive linemen Shane Lemieux, Josh Ezeudu, Ben Bredeson and Garrett McGhin; cornerback Rodarius Williams; safety Dane Belton; and kicker Graham Gano.
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