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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Giants will meet linebacker Olivier Vernon – perhaps their most indispensable defensive player – for Thursday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Vernon is expected to make his debut in the season after missing the first five games of the season with a sprained ankle. He did not receive an injury designation in the last week's injury report, although he was registered as a limited participant in the practice.
His return is a major asset for the Giants' defense, which starts last week tied with the least NFL bag with six.
As Vernon returns, tight end Evan Engram (knee) and wide receiver Russell Shepard (neck) were excluded from Thursday night's game. Engram has been training for the first time Tuesday since his injury, but the short week has made the schedule too tight.
The most realistic scenario for the return of Engram, especially with knee pain, is against the Atlanta Falcons on October 22, in a match played in the night.
The Giants (1-4) could be extremely shorthanded against the Eagles. Rhett Ellison (foot) is also listed as questionable for the contest. It was limited in Wednesday's practice.
The Eagles were also injured. Running back Darren Sproles, who missed four games due to a thigh injury, was one of five players to be dismissed from Thursday's game. The others who will not play are D.J. Alexander (quadricep), linebacker Nathan Gerry (ankle, knee), safety Corey Graham (hamstring) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (calf).
Vernon's presence should help a Giants defense that has not always been able to join the quarterback this season. Veteran Connor Barwin and rookie Lorenzo Carter combined for two sacks in his absence.
Vernon had 15 sacks in his first two seasons with the Giants.
"Of course, if you have a mat with OV skills and abilities, it will help," said coach Pat Shurmur on the team's website.
Vernon has been away since the end of August because of an ankle injury. He tried to come back for last week's game, but he did not move well, ran with caution and constantly flexed his ankle during training late last week.
This does not mean that the Giants have to send him back to a full-time role. Vernon, who has rarely left the field in recent years, should play a more limited role Thursday night.
The Giants also expect kicker Aldrick Rosas (quad) to be available after spending most of the week away.
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