Giants injury report, 9/7: Olivier Vernon OUT vs. Jacksonville

The New York Giants made official on Friday the bad news we have pretty much been anticipating all week. Linebacker Olivier Vernon, the team’s most accomplished pass rusher on a team that doesn’t have enough of those, will not play Sunday in the season-opener vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Vernon has been ruled out because of an ankle injury that kept him off the practice field all week.

Vernon suffered the injury in practice on August 26. He has not practiced since.

“It’s just the other guys at that position have to step up, and it’s going to be multiple guys handling whatever that job was, whether it’s OV outside if he doesn’t end up playing, or linebacker inside, or a guy at safety,” defensive coordinator James Bettcher said on Thursday. “There will be different guys sharing some of that responsibility.”

Two of those could be veteran Connor Barwin and rookie third-round pick Lorenzo Carter. The Giants could also increase the workload of Kareem Martin and ask newly-acquired defensive end Mario Edwards to play more on passing downs.

Linebacker Tae Davis (hamstring) is also out.

The Jaguars have no players listed on their Friday injury report.