:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44256410/459076834.0.jpg)
The hits just keep on coming for the down-trodden and running-out-of-players New York Giants. According to Ebenezer Samuel of the Daily News, defensive end Robert Ayers will join more than a dozen of his teammates on injured reserve.
Robert Ayers did indeed tear his pectoral, according to a source. So yup, his season is over.
— Ebenezer Samuel (@ebenezersamuel) December 1, 2014
Initial exam on Robert Ayers indicates he's got torn pectoral, which will end his season. Giants waiting for the pictures for confirmation.
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) December 1, 2014
Ayers leads the Giants with five quarterback sacks. The 29-year-old is in the first year of a two-year, $3.75 million contract after spending the first five years of his career with the Denver Broncos. Ayers was a first-round pick by Denver in 2009.
With Ayers reportedly done for the season the Giants will have to rely increasingly on young defensive ends Damontre Moore and Kerry Wynn. Moore played a career-high 43 snaps Sunday and Wynn made his NFL debut, playing 22 snaps.
Here is a look at the Giants who are currently on injured reserve:
| Player | Pos. | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Amukamara | CB | Biceps |
| Jon Beason | LB | Toe |
| Michael Cox | RB | Fractured Leg |
| Victor Cruz | WR | Knee |
| Marcus Harris | WR | Shoulder |
| Peyton Hillis | RB | Concussion |
| Travis Howard | CB | Knee |
| Jerrel Jernigan | WR | Foot |
| Troy Kropog | OT | Foot |
| Trumaine McBride | CB | Thumb |
| Cooper Taylor | S | Toe |
| Walter Thurmond | CB | Torn Pectoral |
| David Wilson | RB | Neck |
This doesn't even count Trindon Holliday and Mario Manningham, who were placed on IR before the season began and have since been released. Nor does it count the myriad of active players whoa re currently injured and unavailable to play.
These aren't muscle pulls from inadequate stretching programs. I don't know there is any explanation for foot and toe injuries, torn pectoral muscles and biceps, and fractured legs. They just happen.