New York Giants: 5 Things That Would Keep Them From The Playoffs

Mounting Injuries

Nov 30, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Giants guard Geoff Schwartz (74) is carted off the field after being injured in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Over the last two seasons, the Giants have suffered massive amounts of injuries. It is astonishing the amount of players that have gone down, as the Giants set records in ESPN databases for production lost to injuries in 2013. They then came close to topping it in 2014, as they were decimated once again.

Last season the defensive backs looked to be a strength; by the end of the season they were starting guys who were cut by other teams in the middle of the season. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie played in all 16 games but battled an assortment of injuries throughout the year. Prince Amukamara was enjoying a breakout season, but it was cut short halfway through with a torn biceps. Trumaine McBride was only able to play in six games, and Walter Thurmond tore his pectoral in the second game of the season and wasn’t seen from again after that.

This season, the offensive line looked like it would be somewhat of a strength and that has already been hit hard with the loss of Beatty as earlier discussed. The Giants have to figure out a way to keep their players healthy, as they are either doing something wrong during practice, putting their players at risk, or are using too fragile of players. Whatever the case is, the Giants have to figure it out because the injuries have been what have ruined their last two seasons.

While the Giants have begun improving the depth of their roster, as they have had stronger drafts of late, there are still some holes. Losing starters is not easy for any team to replace, but for a team like the Giants sort of in a rebuild, or restocking of the roster, it hurts even more as they do not have reliable replacements at some positions. If the secondary is hit hard again, it will really throw them out of whack as they do not have the veterans in place, starting or as backups, to pick up the slack from injuries.

Next: Can Offensive Line Come Together?