EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Defensive end Azeez Ojulari is confident he will make his season debut Monday night. The second-year pro missed the first two games with a calf injury suffered in practice on Aug. 25.
"I'm definitely confident, for sure," Ojulari said. "Just thanks to the training staff and strength staff for getting me back in. (I'm) taking it day-by-day every day, getting treatment and feeling better."
Last season, Ojulari led the Giants with a franchise rookie-record 8.0 sacks. He played in all 17 games, starting 13. Because he is so accustomed to being on the field, Ojulari detested his two games as a spectator.
"It's been tough just sitting on the side, watching when you know you can be out there," he said. "But it's God plan. And things happen for a reason. It's part of the game – injuries. Now I'm back. I'm ready. It's time to go.
"It hurts, but it's all good. We got the dub. At the end of the day, that's what matters – winning. So, on to the next win. Ready to prepare for Dallas."
*Five defensive backs – three not practicing and two limited - were included on the Giants' first injury report of the week. Aaron Robinson (appendix), Nick McCloud (hamstring) and Justin Layne (concussion) were joined by defensive lineman Leonard Williams (knee) and wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (knee) as those who did not practice.
Those who practiced but were limited were safeties Dane Belton (clavicle) and Jason Pinnock (shoulder), center Jon Feliciano (shin), linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee), defensive end Azeez Ojulari (calf) and wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hamstring).
*Two notable Dallas defensive players did not practice – linebacker Micah Parsons (illness) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (personal). Tight end Dalton Schutlz (knee) and center Connor McGovern (ankle) also sat out. Wide receiver Michael Gallup (knee) practiced fully.
The Giants will wear their all-white Color Rush uniforms on Monday Night Football against the Cowboys.
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) catches a touchdown pass during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (87) scores a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles' Jaylen Watkins (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Dexter Lawrence (97), Darnay Holmes (30)
Kadarius Toney (89)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) takes part in a week 9 regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Monday November 4th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Darnay Holmes (30)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Darnay Holmes (30)
Daniel Jones (8)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Kadarius Toney (89), Darius Slayton (86)
Aaron Robinson (33)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Elerson G. Smith (94),
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Aaron Robinson (33)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Daniel Jones (8)
Darius Slayton (86)
DL Dexter Lawrence (97)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks following a week 11 football game against on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
DL Dexter Lawrence (97)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) catches a touchdown pass during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) waves to a fan before a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks off during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive line huddles before a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) And New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) runs after a catch during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, December 22, 2016, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 24-19. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
New York Giants' Eli Manning in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants line up during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones (8) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones (8) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants QB Eli Manning (10) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
