We are concerned with ourselves, thank you very much.
That is the condensed version of how defensive coordinator Shane Bowen responded to a question Thursday about any budding frustration from his guys about the lack of scoring by the Giants on offense.
Last week, Bowen’s unit held the Bengals 11 points under their season average, but Daniel Jones and Co. produced only one touchdown in a 17-7 loss to the Bengals.
The defense has consistently played better than the offense through the first six games.
“Believe me, we got enough in our house to worry about, I promise you,’’ Bowen said. “There’s four plays that really changed the game for [the Bengals] that we gave up. Whether it was the 47-yard scramble [by Joe Burrow] or whether it was the third and 12, he got out of the pocket. Whether it’s the very first third-and-6, and he scrambled for the first down. So, there’s plays for us.
“We’re always coaching, we got enough to worry about and focus on making sure our guys are ready to go and can play. And, again, just doing our part, make plays when they’re there, find ways to change the game when we have the opportunities to change the game. And we got to create more turnovers. That’s a part of it, too. Create some turnovers, and, you know, we’ll set some things up. But we got enough to worry about. Believe me, especially week to week with some of these teams we’re playing, with this Eagles team we’re playing this weekend.’’
Rookie WR Malik Nabers was evaluated Thursday afternoon by an independent neurological consultant and has cleared the concussion protocol.
He will make his return Sunday vs. the Eagles after missing the past two games — as long as he is otherwise healthy.
He practiced fully and then popped up on the injury report with a groin issue.
NT Dexter Lawrence (hip) and DE Brian Burns (groin) did not practice for the second consecutive day.
Both said they will definitely play Sunday.
“I just know they’re not practicing,’’ Daboll said. “Hopefully, we’ll see where they’re at [Friday]. Hopefully, they’ll feel better.’’
CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck) was added to the injury report and did not practice.
Daboll said “potentially, yeah’’ when asked if the Giants will sign a veteran offensive tackle.
They are quite thin at that spot, with starting LT Andrew Thomas out for the season following foot surgery.
Greg Joseph replaced injured Graham Gano as the place kicker and missed his first field goal attempt for the Giants.
He then hit his next eight kicks but missed wide left twice against the Bengals, from 47 and 45 yards.
The Giants are sticking with the 30-year old veteran, as Gano is not yet ready to return.
“He holds himself to a high standard and I hold him to that standard as well,’’ special teams coach Michael Ghobrial said. “He knows he wanted to make those kicks. The true pro in him, because he’s such an awesome pro, he will evaluate the film and then he’ll be very intentional and deliberate with his practice habits of making certain that doesn’t happen again.’’