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ARLINGTON, Texas — The avalanche snowballing down on the Giants even knocked out their biggest and best player.
Two-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence’s left arm was in a sling in the postgame locker room Thursday while he described dislocating his elbow in the third quarter of a 27-20 loss to the Cowboys.
The 340-pound defensive tackle said that he plans to return when he can manage the pain, but the Giants (2-10) only have five games remaining in a ᴅᴇᴀᴅ season and would be wise to weigh the short-term benefits against the long-term risks.
“I overextended, and Bobby [Okereke] came crashing down and it popped out of place,” Lawrence said. “I looked at him and said, ‘You just popped my elbow out of place.’ And then I thought, ‘I wonder if this is what shock feels like.’”
Lawrence entertained the idea that his season could be over, pending an upcoming MRI exam. He said that an X-ray showed nothing broken.
“I’ll be hurt,” Lawrence said when asked how he’d react to a season-ending diagnosis. “Because I love going out there and fighting with my guys each and every week. That’s what brings me joy, and I hate not being able to be out there.”
By the end of their seventh consecutive loss, the Giants were down to two healthy defensive tackles — Jordon Riley and Elijah Chatman — because D.J. Davidson (shoulder) and Rakeem Nunez-Roches (stinger) also left the game.
With or without Nunez-Roches and Davidson, Lawrence is irreplaceable.
“Riley and Chatman earned a lot of respect. That was a lot [to ask],” Okereke said. “Dex is our leader. When he’s healthy and back on the field, we’re a much better team, so I’m excited for him to get healthy soon.”
Lawrence led the NFL with nine sacks after seven games, though he has gone five straight without one to fall off the pace. He also draws double- and triple-teams on every snap.
Even with Lawrence clogging the middle, the Giants entered Week 13 with the NFL’s worst-ranked rushing defense (5.1 yards allowed per carry).
“Big loss for us,” edge rusher Brian Burns said. “More importantly, I’m worried about his well-being.”
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Lawrence said that he showered with “no arms” because he had one arm supporting the other.
“I’m breathing, I’m smiling. As far as the game, I’ll be back,” Lawrence said. “Don’t really know a timeline right now, but I fight through a lot so no telling. My journey now is to be able to recover and come back.”
