Giants Have Massive News for 3x-Pro Bowl Defensive Lineman
The New York Giants play on the road against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome for Week 5 of the regular season. For the 1.5-point underdogs to pull off the upset, New York’s elite defensive line needs to dominate New Orleans’ banged-up offensive line in the battle of the line of scrimmage. However, the competition could swing in the Saints’ favor with an elite defensive playmaker not at 100%.
New York Giants’ elite DT dealing with an illness
Dexter Lawrence II has been dealing with an illness after their Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. As a result, the three-time Pro Bowler sat out this week’s practice, prompting the Giants to officially list him as questionable for Week 5. On Friday, Brian Daboll shared that the team is hopeful Lawrence would play against the New Orleans Saints.
“Dex is still sick,” Daboll said, via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. “He’ll be out here [standing on the sideline]. We’re not going to practice him. He should be ready to go, though.”
According to Dan Salomone of the team’s website, Dexter Lawrence II is officially active for Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints. The three-time Pro Bowler is feeling better after missing the week of practice with an illness. Lawrence should provide the Giants with a massive boost against the Saints’ banged-up interior offensive line, giving them the best chance to pull off the upset.
Kirk Cousins just dropped another massive hint about his future with the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has been in trade discussions ever since Michael Penix Jr took over the starting job towards the end of last season. This offseason, many thought that Cousins would be dealt to greener pastures, yet Atlanta chose to stick it out with the 37-year-old quarterback.
While it's still early in the season, the NFL trade deadline is just over a month away. With Cousins' future in Atlanta still in question, the Falcons' backup quarterback was recently asked how he's approaching the NFL trade deadline.
"Right now, it's just about the role I'm in, and focused in on helping us win football games a being ready for the next challenges we face. I'll stay sharp, and you never know what the league will bring,"
Kirk Cousins could step in when needed for the Falcons
There have been times this season when Cousins' role as the backup quarterback for the Falcons has been extremely valuable. Cousins continues to be a valuable mentor for Penix as he continues to grow into Atlanta's quarterback of the future.
Penix has experienced growing pains in his four starts for the Falcons this season, as he has thrown for 918 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. In the Falcons' 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, Cousins stepped in for the former top-10 pick in garbage time after the former Washington star threw for 172 yards and two interceptions on 18-of-36 passing.
Before Penix took over as the starting quarterback in December of 2024, Cousins appeared in 14 games, throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a career-high 16 interceptions.
Given Penix's inconsistent start to 2025, it may be smart for the Falcons to keep a veteran like Cousins around. Cousins is a reliable replacement for the 25-year-old if a scenario emerges where he suffers an injury. Emory Jones, who is on the IR, is currently listed as the third quarterback on the Falcons' depth chart, but Easton Stick would likely be activated from the practice squad if disaster were to strike.
With teams like the Cincinnati Bengals in need of a quarterback replacement due to Joe Burrow's toe injury that'll sideline him through December, it's hard to imagine that Cousins wouldn't be one of the top suitors at the trade deadline. But only time will tell what the Falcons decide to do with Cousins at the trade deadline.
