Giants, Azeez Ojulari appear to avoid injury catastrophe
For the second time in a one-week span, the New York Giants appear to have avoided catastrophe with one of their premiere edge rushers.
First, it was a rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux, who suffered a sprained MCL in a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury initially appeared much worse, but the good news came quickly.
The same thing happened to Azeez Ojulari on Thursday after appearing to suffer a significant injury during a joint practice with the New York Jets. Ojulari required the help of two trainers to leave the field, and fears were understandably escalated as a result.
But like Thibodeaux before him, on-site testing and a subsequent MRI revealed more good news than bad. Ojulari was diagnosed with a calf strain and is currently day-to-day.
#Giants pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari, who left practice early with a lower bosy injury, just underwent an MRI and is expected to be OK, I’m told. Nothing major.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2022
Looks like it’s a calf injury for Azeez Ojulari. MRI revealed no major damage. He should be fine but calf issues can be tricky.
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) August 25, 2022
Calf strains can be tricky, however. Just as retired Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz.
Ojulari had started training camp on the non-football injury (NFI) list with a hamstring issue but was activated following a passed physical in mid-August. He had looked good leading up to Thursday’s practice.
A second-round pick out of Georgia last year, Ojulari burst on the scene by recording a Giants rookie franchise record for sacks with 8.0. He played all 17 games last season with eight starts.
Here in 2022, Ojulari, who added 10 pounds of muscle this offseason, is expected to be a major component in Wink Martindale’s aggressive and swarming defense.
