Back
The New York Giants have built an impressive linebacking group featuring veteran free-agent addition Tremaine Edmunds and rookie standout Arvell Reese. With Edmunds dealing with a shoulder injury and having not practiced all week, the Giants’ defense could look different on Sunday.
Reese has been impressive in his rookie season. If Edmunds is unavailable, the Giants appear comfortable trusting Reese with the green-dot responsibilities.
Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson expressed confidence in that possibility when asked about it Thursday.
“We’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it out right now. We have options. Micah (McFadden), he can call a defense. Arvell can call a defense. They have. Jack Kelly can call a defense," he told reporters. "Zaire (Barnes), we’ve done this in preseason. We’ve done it throughout training camp. All the guys have had the opportunity to call a defense, and we’ll see how it shakes out come Sunday.”
Reese has shown strong football IQ early in his NFL career and continues to impress week to week. Six games into his rookie season, he looks like a player the Giants can build around for years to come. Wilson’s confidence in him is unsurprising given how quickly Reese has adjusted to the league and the production he has already delivered.
Playing alongside a veteran like Edmunds has also given Reese a chance to learn leadership traits on the fly. Wilson’s comments make clear that the Giants have prepared for the possibility of Edmunds being out, and Reese is among the realistic options to handle the green dot on Sunday.