‘Never seen a combo’ like Dex & Leo

4. Kayvon doing the ‘selfless’ work

Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux made a splash play in Week 6 when he strip-sacked Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson to seal the victory, but the rookie has done a lot more than what shows up in the box score.

“I think with our system itself, like I said before, it’s a position-less defense, and when you look at the defense statistically in areas where there are a lot of sacks, he’s doing the selfless work,” Wink Martindale told the media. “I always say we’re going to open up a can of whoop ass. Well, he’s the can opener. You have a guy running free to the quarterback, playing a single high safety. Well, he has to do the right pattern to get that guy free and that’s what pleases me about the guy himself.

“I know everybody wants to say, ‘sacks, sacks, sacks’ to him after games whenever you do the media with him, but if there’s 1,000 plays run and we’re happy with him in 950 of them, it’s better than the guy that has 12 sacks, plays 600 plays and can’t play the run, can’t do this, can’t do that. I just think the kid is playing great. It’s just like takeaways or anything else, the sacks will come. The other thing is to look at the holding calls he’s drawn, you know you look at the whole picture. He drops well in coverage. I can’t say nothing but positives about how he’s playing. How he’s chasing after the football like a veteran, studying like a veteran, leading like a veteran. So, I’m really glad he’s a Giant.”

5. Injury updates; Wan’Dale, Ezeudu sit

Tight end Daniel Bellinger once again did not participate in practice as he continues his recovery from the serious eye injury suffered in Week 7. Joining him on the sidelines for today’s practice were two other members of the rookie class – wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (hamstring) and offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu (neck). Robinson was downgraded to DNP after getting in a limited practice on Wednesday. On the other hand, the neck injury is a new one for Ezeudu, who was not listed on the injury report yesterday.

It remains to be seen who would replace the rookie at left guard if he’s unable to play, but a few options are Shane Lemieux, who is progressing in his recovery from the toe injury suffered during the preseason, and Nick Gates.

“They’ll both get reps, but Shane will start progressively getting more reps,” Coach Brian Daboll told the media. “We’ll use both those guys and Jack Anderson.”

Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (back/resting player) and outside linebacker Kayvon…