Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: How's (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) doing?

BRIAN DABOLL: He's doing better. He's still in the protocol. He'll do some stuff off to the side outside with the training staff today. So, day-to-day.

Q: How's (running back Devin) Singletary doing?

BRIAN DABOLL: He'll be out here at practice today. He's improved.

Q: Has Malik cleared some of the steps in the protocol?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, that's why we're going to get him out here on the grass today. So, he didn't do that last week. He's feeling better. But again, I'll take those very seriously and go through each step. But he is doing better. So, we'll see how he does after he does some activity out there on the grass today.

Q: Anybody who won't practice today?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah. (guard Greg) Van Roten, we'll give him a vet day. (Guard Jon) Runyan (Jr.) is sick. He's here, but he's under the weather. And (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) has a wrist.

Q: Is Kayvon that serious?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I'd say it's week to week.

Q: So, he's not going to be ready for Sunday?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I'd say week to week.

Q: Did Nabers have a chance to before today to run outside at all?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, he's been working with the trainers. This will be a good day for him today to get out there and kind of see where he's at. And again, we'll take it slow. Again, he is feeling better, which is a good sign.

Q: Will Singletary be full or limited?

BRIAN DABOLL: He'll probably be limited. But he's trending in the right direction. Again, let's see how he does.

Q: Sometimes when you say week to week, that can be a long time. I mean, do you think he's going on IR?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, I'll just leave it at week to week.

Q: How did that happen?

BRIAN DABOLL: Happened in the game.

Q: How does it impact the defense then?

BRIAN DABOLL: Well, I mean, look, it's just like the question you asked last week about Nabers being down and Motor being down. If he can't go, then other guys will have to step in and be ready to go and fill those roles. That's why they're here. To come out here and do what they need to do to be as good as they can be.

Q: What have you seen from (outside linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari)?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, Azeez has been good for us. He'll be important if Kayvon's not there. And, whether it's (outside linebacker) Boogie (Basham), whether it's (linebacker Patrick Johnson) Pat, whoever it may be, we have confidence in the guys.

Q: He was able to play through it during the game?

BRIAN DABOLL: He was.

Q: And then he got back here…

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah. And then we got him looked at. Again, week to week.

Q: Does he need surgery?

BRIAN DABOLL: Not anymore.

Q: He already had surgery?

BRIAN DABOLL: He did.

Q: So, he's in a cast?

BRIAN DABOLL: He had it today, in the morning. So, I haven't seen him.

Q: Sometimes with surgery, it might end up as season-ending. Are you certain that's not the case with Kayvon?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, again, I'm not going to give you a timeline or anything like that. I would just say he's week to week. I'm encouraged with what I've heard. But again, you never know.

Q: So, he could come back?

BRIAN DABOLL: He could, yeah.

Q: What have you seen from your young secondary in recent weeks that the results have been better?

BRIAN DABOLL: Well again, they're young. So, the more playing time you get, the more experience you get, the more you improve. And we've played against some pretty good receivers. (Seahawks wide receiver DK) Metcalf being the last one, (Commanders wide receiver Terry) McLaurin, (Cowboys wide receiver) CeeDee Lamb, (Vikings wide receiver Justin) Jefferson, and now here comes (Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr) Chase and (Bengals wide receiver Tee) Higgins. So, they're improving at their craft. They've been working hard. The communication process, their technique, their fundamentals. (Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach) Jerome's (Henderson) been working with them. (Safeties Coach Michael) Treier has been working with them. Again, a young group of players that continue to improve. We have a huge challenge this week against this quarterback, who's one of the best in the league and the skill set of Chase and Higgins. They can score at any time.

Q: There's a lot of teams that have a number one wide receiver. How difficult is it when their number two is basically a number one also?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, very difficult. They're two different types of players, both outstanding at what they do. They put Chase everywhere. He can take it from a one-yard pass, 80 yards. Over 4,200 yards, 35 touchdowns, 34, whatever it may be. He's as good as it gets. And then throw Higgins in there, who's a top pick of the second round, who's big. Even when he's covered, he's not covered. It's very challenging. That's why they put up so many points. When you add (Bengals quarterback Joe) Burrow to the mix, who's one of the premier passers in this league, it's difficult.

Q: Can you talk about (defensive lineman) Dexter Lawrence (II), he's been getting a lot of double teams this year. He's fought through those. I think he had his highest number of sacks last week. Can you just talk about his resilience?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, well, I think he gets doubled not just this year. He's been doubled quite a bit of his career. Again, we've talked about him. He's explosive, strong. He's got good length, power. He's smart. Again, that's some of the things that he's going to have to do is be able to fight through those double teams, which he has. It's not an easy thing. I mean, there was times last week where there were three guys on him. So, again, he understands that. When he gets his opportunities, he's got to make them go. Very thankful that he's on our football team.

Q: How much of a setback is it for a young guy like Thibodeaux?

BRIAN DABOLL: Anytime anybody gets injured, you never want to see that. But he'll rehab and do the things he needs to do to be ready to go.

Q: What's been the difference for (cornerback Cor'Dale) Flott the last few weeks? He seems to have sort of settled into a role.

BRIAN DABOLL: Much like the answer I gave you before. These are young players that are out here. They're playing each week. They're improving each week. Experience helps. Being in the film room, working together, communication process of it. But Flott's done a nice job.

Q: (Wide receiver) Gunner (Olszewski) is eligible to come up this week. I assume he's not. But is he anywhere close to being ready to return? I haven't seen him yet.

BRIAN DABOLL: He's closer, but he's not there yet.

Q: What about (inside linebacker) Dyontae Johnson? Where are you at with him?

BRIAN DABOLL: He's in pretty good shape right now. We're not going to do anything with him as of yet. Getting close.

Q: What's the key to harnessing the success you've had this past week and carrying it forward so you can start stacking?

BRIAN DABOLL: I would say each week is its own week. We've got a big challenge ahead of us against a very good football team. I know their record isn't what they want it to be, but their four losses are one-score games. They've played three games against (Chiefs quarterback Patrick) Mahomes, (Commanders quarterback Jayden) Daniels and (Ravens quarterback Lamar) Jackson. Explosive offense. Good football team. (Bengals Head Coach) Zac (Taylor) does a great job with them. (Bengals Defensive Coordinator) Lou Anarumo. They're a very quality, good football team with a lot of good players. And our focus has to be on us, what we need to do. Have a good week of practice, preparation. Our process has to be right throughout the week, and then ultimately we have to go out there and perform well on Sunday.

Q: Do you think momentum carries for week to week?

BRIAN DABOLL: It's week-to-week business. Each week is different. Each opponent is different. Every game plan is different. The players you're playing against are different. There's different matchups. So really the main thing that we have to focus on is this week, our game plans, the things that we need to execute, understand the matchups that we're going against, and then go out there and perform well.

Q: Despite their losses, they put up plenty of points every week. Do you have to focus more on the red zone this week just to kind of match them?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I mean we focus on it quite a bit. We'll continue to do that. Again, I think each individual area, offense, defense and the kicking game, they're going to have a set of targets that we need to try to hit against this team, and it will be a challenge.

Q: We talked a couple of weeks ago about playing so many young players. When you get to a point in the season, a month in, in five games, you see some of your younger players taking on a bigger role. Can that raise the team when you have guys that maybe you're not counting on for a certain level of performance, and then all of a sudden, a guy like (running back Tyrone) Tracy comes out and does what he does to kind of lift everyone around you?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I mean I think the main thing is each person is on this team for a reason and to make sure they're prepared and ready to go when their number is called. So, whether that was like Tracy last week where he hadn't had a lot of touches and he gets it, or (wide receiver Darius) Slayton, those are two good examples of guys that have done everything we've asked them to do, been ready to go, have worked hard, and when they had an opportunity, made the most of it.

Q: Where do you see (Offensive Line Coach) Carmen Bricillo making the most impact on your line?

BRIAN DABOLL: Well, again, I've said this numerous times. I think Carm and (Assistant Offensive Line Coach) James Ferentz are really good football coaches. They work well together. It's really all phases. There's new offensive linemen, maybe some new techniques here and there. He's a great teammate. Very good offensive mind, too, not just with the runs and protections, but he's all-encompassing in terms of the offensive knowledge that he has. James is a former player that's just played last year, so it's good to have him in the room to relate to the guys. But he's done a really nice job since he's been here. He's a good guy to have on your team.

Q: With Van Roten taking a rest day and Runyan being sick, but just today, Stinnie will be at one spot. Who will you be at your other guard spot on your O-Line?

BRIAN DABOLL: We have enough guys.

Q: Does (Tackle) Evan Neal become an option at guard for you at some point? I know you talk about versatility with linemen. It's hard to keep a guy who's a backup at one specific spot, not cross-train him.

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, right now we have our inside backup players. Evan's been working at tackle. That's kind of the direction that we're working.

Q: I know it's not your team, but when you see a guy like (Former Jets Head Coach) Robert Saleh get fired, is there anything that goes through your head?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, it's an unfortunate part of the business. I've got a lot of respect for Robert. I wish him and his family the best.

Q: How did (cornerback Dru) Phillips and (cornerback) Adoree' (Jackson) come through on Sunday? Did they do more this week?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, they made it okay. Again, they'll be out here. We'll keep ramping them up, a little bit more probably than Motor, but kind of in the same spot. They'll continue to get their reps, but no setbacks.

Quarterback Daniel Jones

Q: Obviously the glaring stat here is no touchdowns at home, right? So, how do you fix that on Sunday night?

DANIEL JONES: I think being efficient in the red zone and taking advantage of our opportunities. I think that's something that you're always trying to do well, is the situational football stuff, and definitely a point of emphasis for us.

Q: It's been games where field goals have kept you in it. This seems like a game where you're going to need a lot more touchdowns, right?

DANIEL JONES: We're always trying to score touchdowns, regardless of who we're playing. We have a lot of respect for their team, their offense, and their defense. We're always trying to score touchdowns and put up as many points as possible.

Q: Are you aware of your career splits home and away? Like your touchdown and interception numbers at home versus away?

DANIEL JONES: No, I haven't seen that. But look, I think the football field is the same and it's about going out and playing well, regardless of where you are. So, I'm excited to get out there. I think we all are. It should be an awesome atmosphere for football.

Q: Would it surprise for you at all if I was to tell you that it's drastically different?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah. I'm excited to play at home. I'm excited to get in front of the fans and looking forward to the opportunity.

Q: Why do you think it is that you've had some tough primetime games over the years and what do you think the key is to kind of getting that monkey off your back?

DANIEL JONES: I think we got to win more games. You look at the past, over the years, we haven't won enough, period. So, to say primetime or not, I think we got to win. We know we got to win and play well. I'm confident. I'm excited for the opportunity. I think we all are.

Q: I'm sure you've watched (Cincinnati Bengals quarterback) Joe Burrow perform before. What impresses you about him as a quarterback?

DANIEL JONES: His accuracy and decision-making. I think he sees the field well, goes to the right place with the ball and he's very accurate when it's there. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a good quarterback.

Q: Does running the ball, you running the ball, does that get you into a flow of the game any differently than when you're not carrying it?

DANIEL JONES: I enjoy running the ball. It can help me get into a game when those opportunities present themselves. But I think there's a lot of ways to get into a rhythm and get into a flow. Whether that's running the ball or throwing the ball, I feel like I can do that either way.

Q: How has the play of the (offensive) line helped you get in a flow?

DANIEL JONES: I think they've been consistently really good. They've played at a high level and protected well against a lot of good pass rushes. I think that helps being able to get through my reads and get the ball out on time. It helps knowing that you're going to be protected, and those guys have played pretty well.

Q: Does that change your mind? You've consistently been a rusher and a scrambler. With the play this year from the line, does that change your approach when it comes to running at all, in any capacity?

DANIEL JONES: I still try to play in rhythm, and you try to play with the feel and sense for the pocket. I think that happens instinctually and naturally depending on how the play presents itself. So, I think any time you go into a play or go into a game expecting something and trying to predetermine something, you get into trouble. So, I think it's reacting and playing instinctually.

Q: You incorporated (tight end) Theo (Johnson) a little bit more in the offense last week. What does he bring? What does he add to this offense?

DANIEL JONES: I think he brings, obviously, a big body presence in the middle of the field and even out wide, getting him matched up on some smaller defenders. We have a lot of confidence in him. I know there was something made about him not having as many opportunities early on, but we have a ton of confidence in him, and you saw on Sunday what he can do and his physicality, his size and strength in the middle of the field.

Q: What does it say about you and this offense that you were able to have a win, a successful game without two of your top offensive playmakers last week?

DANIEL JONES: We've said all along we're confident in our whole group and all the guys we got. We got a deep, deep room in all the skill positions. We have a lot of guys who can make plays, and you saw that on Sunday, guys stepping up and doing that. So, when we say we have confidence in them, it's not just lip service, we really do. There's a lot of guys who can make plays for us.

Q: Are you at the point with (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) where if he's cleared to play but doesn't really get to be in a full practice this week that you guys can pick up where you left off?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I feel great about where we are and being on the same page with him. I know he's working through his injury, and we'll follow the advice of the doctors and trainers. But I feel confident in our chemistry.

Q: How about Theo Johnson? You started to get more comfortable with him?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, Theo (Johnson) has done good for us. I thought he played a good game on Sunday. I think his size and strength in the middle of the field is a big asset for us.

Q: You guys haven't won a home game yet. Also, historically since you've been here, you've kind of struggled in prime time, does that add any importance to Sunday night at all?

DANIEL JONES: No, we want to win every game and play well every game. It doesn't change when it is or where it is.

Defensive Lineman Dexter Lawrence II

Q: Did you feel you were getting doubled teamed or tripled teamed last Sunday?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: …. And then watching tape, it shows up in pretty good double teams and triple teams. But like I said, it's just my world that I'm in now and I embrace it, and I accept it.

Q: How come you're wearing shades?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: Just to look cool.

Q: Can you talk about how it looked like they tweaked your role a little bit. They moved you outside a little bit more in this last game. I mean, did that make much of a difference for you?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: Throughout the whole year, I've been moving around more this year. That's been the goal for the year. To try to help me get away from some doubles here and there and create some unbalances on the offensive line. That's just been the goal all year.

Q: Do you get offended, or do you take it as a compliment when you're double and triple teamed?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: I embrace it, and I tell them to double team me honestly (laughs). It's my world and I'm just going through it and each week I'm getting better at going through it.

Q: We know obviously the loss of (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) is obviously a big blow for the pass rush. How much confidence do you have in (outside linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari) that he can fill in that role and really help the pass rush too?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: I have a lot of confidence in Azeez. He's been in the league for four years now. He's made a lot of plays in this league and for this team. I sent him a text message and told him it's his time. And this is your opportunity to go take over.

Q: How do you think it would affect your team not having Kayvon?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: Just bringing that good pass rush off the edge is what we need. But like I said, I don't think is Azeez is a drop off. I think he's very capable of handling his own and he's done it for a while and now he just he gets more reps to go prove himself.

Q: What's the key to stopping the explosive weapons that the Bengals have in (wide receiver Ja'Marr) Chase and (wide receiver Tee) Higgins?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: They're very explosive. I think honestly, it's being dominant up front. That's each week. That's the goal each week. We've got to attack this o-line, and we've got to make (Bengals quarterback Joe) Burrow uncomfortable in the pocket to disrupt some throws, create some overthrows and under throws. I think that's the biggest key.

Q: Do you know that you guys are leading the league in sacks…

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: Yeah, I did see that. That's just kudos to the DBs, honestly, because they are getting in on the sacks and they are covering. So, it's just everybody working well together, and I think that's what a great team does.

Q: Also, number one in disruptions, total disruptions, according to a new study that just came out…

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: I didn't see that one.

Q: Yeah, that was Sharp football. They got that one out.

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: Look at that. (Laughs) We work hard and when you work hard, good results happen. That's what we're going to keep doing.

Q: But are you amazed though that you're five weeks into the season and sometimes with a new system, especially one that's completely opposite of what you play, sometimes it takes a little longer. Are you surprised?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: It's hard to ask me that question. I don't really see a lot of stuff until the end of the season, the accomplishments. But right now, I've just got my head down and grinding. And that's my message to everybody else. You're going to be able to reap your benefits at the end. Right now, just grind each week. Right now, we've got Cincinnati. We've got to go create some more disruption.

Q: This is going to be a weird question, but as good as you are do you feel you can get even better?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: Personally?

Q: Yeah...

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: I don't think I've scratched where I can be. I left some plays out there Sunday that I want back. Each week, I've just got to keep proving myself right and go to get it.

Q: Historically since you guys have since you've been here, the prime-time games, the Sunday night, Monday night have been tough for you guys. Does it add anything to this week?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: I mean since I've been here, a lot of games have been tough for us. I don't think the timing of the game is what causes any losing or anything like that. It's just us coming out and showing that just playing on Sunday rather than – I understand that's the narrative and all that, but I think it's just showing up on that day and being ready to play.

Q: Did you play a lot more three-technique last game than you've been?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: I think this whole year I've been playing a little bit more. It wasn't necessarily just the game plan last week. I've been moving around a lot each week. But last week we just attacked the plan well and we executed well. It helped.

Q: It helped you get a little more iso?

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: Yeah, it helped.

Q: It seemed like that three tech got you a lot of iso.

DEXTER LAWRENCE II: Yeah, I had some iso. I think just the way we attacked them, how we lined up the fronts, how we blitzed, how we did certain things, helped get that isolation rather than me moving out a little bit.

Outside Linebacker Azeez Ojulari

Q: On preparing for the game this week…

AZEEZ OJULARI: I feel like I prepare every week the same, no matter what it is. Just come out here, try to work, get better, and execute the game plan every day. Compete at practice and take it one day at a time.

Q: Has it been harder for you with a more limited role this year? Has that been harder for you? I mean, you've always been a starter…

AZEEZ OJULARI: No, I'm coming in every day and try to execute one day at a time. Whatever it is I have to do, when I step out there on the field, I try to give it my all, try to make a play and make an impact.

Q: How do you feel like you've played in that different role?

AZEEZ OJULARI: It's smooth. I don't think it's anything crazy. Just trying to keep working every day, just trying to make an impact when I'm out there on the field, no matter what it is.

Q: How is your game this year? Have you noticed a difference in how you are playing? Have you fine-tuned anything to the point where you feel like you have a chance to make more of an impact?

AZEEZ OJULARI: I'm trying to play lower, violent hands and trying to be a physical guy like I always am. Just keep the speed up and try to make impact when I'm out there. Just execute the game plan, whatever the coaches want us to do and just bring every play.

Q: The reason I ask that is because in years past, just when you felt like you get to a point where you were really seeing who you could be as a player, we know what happened. But you've kind of been on the road, so certainly not to jinx anything, but I imagine you're seeing the growth in your game more so this year than you have in the past year…

AZEEZ OJULARI: It's a blessing when you can go week to week and be out there every time and not miss any games. I thank God, every day. It's a blessing to be out there every week competing with the guys, my brothers, my teammates out here, trying to get a win. That's all it is at the end of the day.

Q: You're having one of your best seasons, health obviously a big factor of it, but what is it about this defense in particular that has brought out the best in you?

AZEEZ OJULARI: We all work together. We all work together as one, as a unit. We push each other every day at practice. We all try to improve and get better. It's the standard here, try to continue to improve and get better and push each other out here and continue to try to get wins.

Q: Does it give you almost an extra boost of motivation, knowing how much the pass rush has improved this year, personnel-wise and with the numbers too?

AZEEZ OJULARI: Definitely. We always want to improve in here. Every day we're in here, we're always trying to find something that we can get better at. And, as you see, it's showing up on Sundays and we've got to keep it going. That's the main thing.

Q: How do you look at this opportunity? You're obviously a free agent to be and you're going to get a big opportunity the next few weeks, maybe a month or so. How do you kind of look at this chance to really showcase yourself?

AZEEZ OJULARI: I'm here every day preparing, every single day. No matter what it is, I'll be ready to go out there and perform to the highest level, execute the game plan and do my job.

Q: For the most part, you've played on the left side. Can you play the right side or are you interchangeable?

AZEEZ OJULARI: I can play any side. I'm comfortable any way. I'm good any way. Whenever I come in, any side, whatever is open, I'm good. I'm rolling.

Q: What have your coaches said to you this week in preparation of having more of a workload?

AZEEZ OJULARI: Continue to execute, get reps and just be ready. Nothing different, really. Game week, prepare the same, just go out there and try to execute.

Q: How much does it help you to play the way you know you can, when you've been able to practice every day all summer and now all fall?

AZEEZ OJULARI: It's good. It's a blessing when you build that callus all summer, all camp and OTAs. The buildup and the reps and the repetition, your body's used to. That's why you need that, for sure. Then it definitely carries over to the season to continue the stretch, the long season.

Q: Are you excited to be a starter again?

AZEEZ OJULARI: I'm always excited to take the field, no matter what opportunity I get. Whether it is – starter or not, I'm always excited to be out there and help this defense win or contribute in any way, always.