New York Giants’ Azeez Ojulari prepared to step back into starting role

On Wednesday, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll informed the media that starting outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux had surgery to repair a broken wrist and would be “week-to-week.”

In his absence, Azeez Ojulari, a player the Giants have been waiting for to pop for four seasons, will be the next man up in Thibodeaux’s spot.

“Azeez has been good for us. He’ll be important if Kayvon’s not there,” said Daboll. “And, whether it’s Boogie (Basham), whether it’s Pat (Johnson), whoever it may be, we have confidence in the guys.”

But it will likely be Ojulari, a former second-round pick out of Georgia, who gets the snaps. He has produced when healthy, which is what he finally is this season.

Ojualri has played in all five games this season. He has 10 total tackles, one for a loss, with two QB hits, one sack, and a fumble recovery in 114 (37 percent) of the defensive snaps.

“No,” Ojulari replied when asked if it’s harder to prepare now that he is going from role player to starter. “I’m coming in every day and trying to execute one day at a time. Whatever it is I have to do, when I step out there on the field, I try to give it my all, try to make a play and make an impact.”

Ojulari is fitting into the Giants’ plans and appears to be content with the role he’s had and the way the defense has played this season.

“We all work together. We all work together as one, as a unit,” he said. “We push each other every day at practice. We all try to improve and get better. It’s the standard here, try to continue to improve and get better and push each other out here and continue to try to get wins.”

That’s what they’ll try to do this Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow, who has been sacked only 11 times this season.