Olivier Vernon carted off field with an ankle injury

New York Giants starting outside linebacker and defensive end Olivier Vernon left practice today with an apparent ankle injury.

The Vernon reportedly got his foot tangled while working through blocks in practice Sunday afternoon, and was carted off the field.

Head coach Pat Shurmur spoke to the media after practice, and didn’t give much in the way of details, simply saying that he is being evaluated.

Vernon was set to play a key role in the Giants’ defense as their primary edge rusher in both base and nickel defenses. He had taken to the role of outside linebacker well and had been on a tear throughout training camp and the preseason. That he didn’t seem to be in any real kind of pain is encouraging, but the severity of the injury is unknown as of this writing.

Time could be against the Giants if Vernon has anything more than a mild injury. The regular season is a scant two weeks away, and the defense needs Vernon healthy. He has played through injury each of the last two years and it has visibly hampered him. Reserve DE/OLB Romeo Okwara replaced Vernon with the starters when he left the field.