Giants’ Leonard Williams has sprained MCL but hopeful for quick return

If Leonard Williams is the Giants’ Iron Man, then a sprained MCL have to be the most recent Marvel villain. 

Williams’ odds-defying career-long streak of 114 straight video games with out lacking one because of damage is prone to finish after he limped off the sphere in Sunday’s win towards the Panthers

An MRI on Williams’ proper knee revealed Monday that the extent of the injury is “higher than it may very well be” — basically ruling out a season-ending torn ACL — mentioned head coach Brian Daboll. However NFL Community reported a sprained MCL (which typically carries a two to 4 week restoration timeline) and never “a lot” missed time anticipated. 

Williams’ teammate Kayvon Thibodeaux suffered a sprained MCL on Aug. 21 — 4 weeks in the past — and has not practiced in full or performed since. The Giants play every of the following six weeks earlier than a bye. 

Not solely is Williams accessible each recreation regardless of the physicality of the trenches, he was among the many NFL leaders in snaps performed on the defensive position final season (888) and was headed for a repeat with 87 in seven quarters this season. 

Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams
Getty Photos

“Hopefully he’s a quick healer,” Daboll mentioned. 

The Giants changed Williams with Justin Ellis towards the Panthers, however there actually is not any changing an 80-percent-snap workhorse like Williams. 

“If you find yourself the most effective gamers, that’s the place you will find yourself,” defensive position coach Andre Patterson advised The Put up final week. “He’s getting paid some huge cash [$19 million cash in 2022] for a motive. When the sport is on the road, you need your finest guys on the market.” 

Williams had seven tackles over two video games and was an enormous a part of limiting bulldozer Derrick Henry to three.9 yards per carry within the season-opener. Patterson mentioned Williams does an excellent job of “affecting the quarterback” along with his move rush. 

“We’ve harped on him to be in nice form,” Patterson mentioned. “It doesn’t say something unhealthy in regards to the folks we have now behind him. It’s only a matter of he’s an elite participant. You need to hold the fellows on the sphere who've an opportunity to make performs to alter the sport round.” 


Receiver Kenny Golladay performed simply two snaps in Sunday’s recreation. 

Requested if he has to run that call by both common supervisor Joe Schoen or co-owner John Mara on condition that Golladay is due $18 million this season, Daboll mentioned, “Joe and I collaborate on just about every little thing in our constructing. 

“The factor we need to create is as aggressive a staff as we will. No matter the place you're drafted, how you bought right here, how a lot cash you make, we consider in everyone goes on the market and competes — and we play the fellows that earn the suitable to play that week.” 


Third-string RB Gary Brightwell’s first profession carry as a fullback — at any stage of soccer — resulted in a 14-yard acquire to transform a third-and-1 on the game-winning drive. The Giants despatched second-stringer Matt Breida in pre-snap movement and faked a pitch to Saquon Barkley after the within handoff to Brightwell. 

“It was only a typical short-yardage play that I knew I needed to get that 1 yard and no matter comes after is additional,” Brightwell mentioned. “I’m not likely certain what they anticipated. If Saquon is within the backfield, they need to expect him to get the ball — the most effective operating backs within the NFL.” 


LB Jaylon Smith is rejoining the Giants as a member of the observe squad, based on sources. A Professional Bowler with the 2019 Cowboys, he performed 4 video games (two begins) for the Giants on the finish of final season and returned as a gaggle of gamers who labored out for staff brass Monday.

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