The Giants suffered a slew of injuries Sunday, not ideal in any game but especially ahead of a short week – and the one that may hamstring the team the most is the report that Adoree’ Jackson suffered a sprained MCL that will keep him out until at least mid-December if not longer.
Head coach Brian Daboll had no concrete info about the injury in his postgame press conference, but he also did not have any regrets about using Jackson as his punt returner.
“No. Look, it's football, and obviously, it was unfortunate,” Daboll said, “but we'll see where we're at here tomorrow. I'd say there's a risk playing every player, regardless of what the position is. I told you before: I've been part of a lot of teams where starting receivers, starting DBs played.
You just try to do what's best for the team. And hopefully, he'll be back as soon as he can.”
Jackson was also mum about the injury, saying “it was just one of those things” where his leg got hyperextended a bit while he was planting to make a juke.
However, with Xavier McKinney already out, Jackson going down, and then Fabian Moreau also getting hurt, the Giants’ defensive backfield was down to seven healthy bodies, one of which was a corner in Cor’Dale Flott who just returned Sunday after missing nearly two months with an injury.
It is what it is, though, and to a man, the defense agreed it’s next man up.
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“For us, that’s what this whole season has been about. Understand that even when you get all of these reps in OTAs or in camp, make sure everybody is on the same page. And when we bring new people in, make sure they are all of one accord,” Jackson said. “Like you said, next man up mentality. Just have to be ready. Regardless of the situation, what may play out, just keep fighting, keep battling and don't let the level of play drop.”
“It's tough for a defense, for our secondary in terms of our execution and playing the game, and it's tough personally - those are your friends, those are your guys who you go to battle with each day and to see them banged around, it's tough,” added Julian Love. “So yeah, we got to find a way right now. Some young guys have to step up, which I know they're going to do.
Thankfully, it's a short week because we can get right back in action – that's my mindset for it. We need young guys to step up and throw them in the fire, which is a tough thing for any team to do.”
Jackson, too, was thankful for the short week, even if he may not be able to take the field Thanksgiving evening in Dallas.
“You've got to forget about it, but at the same time, keep that taste in your mouth a little bit,” Jackson said. “I understand you don't like how it ended up. Guys came out to play. They were going crazy making plays. For us, you can't harp on it for too long because we play in three days. You soak it in and think about this for not even 24 hours. For the rest of the day. Watch a little film on Dallas whenever they get done playing and go from there.”
Whether he does play or not, though, Jackson is appreciative for the guys behind him and Moreau who stepped up and played well late.
“I appreciate them. I like what they put out there and like what they do. It's never one of those things you just think something crazy like that is going to happen and when it does, go out there play your game and play ball,” he said. “I feel like they did a great job. Obviously, we didn't get the W today. Just get ready for this Thursday and put everything together.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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