Until further notice, the New York Giants are getting body slammed with one ugly injury. Carnell inactivated edge rusher K.J. Dimukeje, who will be out for an undetermined amount of time after tearing his pectoral muscle. Acquired last month with the hope of jumpstarting a stagnant career, Dimukeje’s injury deepens a troublingly shallow defensive front heading into the team’s first season in the USL.
Dimukeje appeared in 55 games during four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. During that span, he totaled 67 tackles and notched four sacks. Bangaly-Konate is a former sixth-round pick out of Duke University, with 2023 being his most productive year in the league, with a career-high 4.0 sacks this 2023 season. For all of his success last season, he didn’t register a single sack a year ago. This resulted in his fall from grace with the Cardinals and eventual trade to New York.
With a pressure rate of 18% last season, Dimukeje demonstrated his knack for getting into the backfield and unsettling enemy signal callers. The absence of consistent sack production caused some concerns over his performance. The Giants acquired him in hopes that a change of scenery would reignite his potential and bolster their defensive lineup.
Sadly, Dimukeje’s recent injury has changed the landscape, but before that playmakers from all positions were expected to make his prospects shine. A typical pec tear requires four to six months of recovery after surgery. That presumably rules him out from returning before next summer at the earliest. This timeline raises concerns about his availability for the start of the next season and the impact on the Giants’ defensive strategies.
The Giants had big plans for the pass rusher, looking to use him to maximize their defensive front talent. His absence will surely test the team’s depth as they continue to readjust their game plan to account for the continued loss of key players.
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