Goodson, Pugh out vs. Chiefs; Snacks, Kennard, Shepard questionable
The Giants will be without linebacker B.J. Goodson and offensive lineman Justin Pugh when they host the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday afternoon.
Goodson hasn’t played since injuring his ankle in the Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Pugh left last week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a back injury.
Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (quad) is listed as doubtful. This means the Giants will be shorthanded at the linebacker position with Goodson out and Keenan Robinson placed on injured reserve earlier this week with a quad injury. Calvin Munson is expected to start for Sheppard Sunday with Curtis Grant and the recently signed Akeem Ayers to back him up.
The Giants’ linebacker situation could open things up for the Chiefs. The Giants have had trouble with receiving tight ends this season, allowing a tight end to catch a touchdown in each of their nine games. Now, the Giants have to contend with Travis Kelce, perhaps the NFL’s most dynamic pass-catching tight end. They will also have to deal with the Chiefs’ running attack, ranked first overall with 4.8 yards per carry.
With Pugh out, the Giants could use their seventh offensive line combination in 10 games. The undrafted rookie Chad Wheeler could start at right tackle over Bobby Hart, who has dealt with injuries and below average play this season. It would be Wheeler’s first career start should the Giants decide to make that move.
The good news on the injury front is defensive end Damon Harrison (ankle) and linebacker Devon Kennard (quad) are listed as questionable. Harrison missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited on Thursday while Kennard has been a limited participant all week.
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard is also questionable with an undisclosed illness.
Cornerbacks Eli Apple (non-injury related/personal) and Donte Deayon (ankle), offensive lineman D.J. Fluker (knee), Munson (quad), defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (knee), and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (ankle) are all expected to play despite being limited in practice this week.
– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for cover32 and covers the NFL and New York Giants. Please like and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.
AROUND COVER32
2 Point Cowboys Podcast: Eagles Week
Steelers flex their Super Bowl muscle
Rams at Vikings: Who has the edge?
What’s in store for the Chiefs in the second half?
Interested in writing for cover32? Follow the link to apply!
—
