NFL Trade Rumors: New York Giants Defensive Lineman Dexter Lawrence May Be Done for the Year

The New York Giants' nightmare season continues. Head coach Brian Daboll revealed during his Friday media availability that two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence suffered an elbow injury during the Giants' Thanksgiving 27-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys that is expected to put him out "long term."

Brian Daboll anticipates Dexter Lawrence’s elbow injury will be “long term.”
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) November 29, 2024

Lawrence has been arguably the Giants' lone bright spot this season, notching a team-high 9.0 sacks over his 12 starts while earning an elite 89.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He was well on his way to a third-straight Pro Bowl and potentially first-team All-Pro recognition.

Given the Giants' 2-10 record, Lawrence's season is very likely over. The Giants have him locked up through 2027, and they have nothing to gain from rushing him back to the field. The 2024 season is already beyond salvaging, and the Giants should prioritize Lawrence's health for 2025 and beyond.

Ultimately, Lawrence's exit could be another nail in the coffin of the Daboll era in New York. The Giants released starting quarterback Daniel Jones last week, and backups Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito have contributed a pair of profoundly unproductive starts in his stead, combining for an ineffectual 367 passing yards at a pitiful 4.07 net yards per passing attempt in consecutive losses.

Daboll is now 17-28-1 in his three seasons as Giants head coach, and that will likely get worse in the coming weeks with Lawrence on the bench. That may benefit the Giants in the long run. They're within striking range of earning the 2025 NFL Draft's first overall pick, and that could be a useful building block for a new generation of Giants decision-makers.