The Giants could get their best player back in time for their last stand.
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who missed the game before the bye week with a hamstring injury, was listed as limited Thursday on a projected injury report.
Lawrence didn’t practice Wednesday, so his elevation during Thursday’s team off day suggests that he will be back on the field Friday.
Right tackle Evan Neal was listed as a non-participant and likely will not play Monday against the Packers (6-6) when the left-for-dead Giants (4-8) try to somehow pull within one game of the last playoff spot in the NFC.
Along with Lawrence, who is the NFL’s top-ranked interior defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus, fellow defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring) and linebacker Isaiah Simmons (ankle) are considered limited.
Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor (ribs) and special-teamer Carter Coughlin (hip) are full participants.
The omission of Lawrence’s name from the first round of fan voting for the Pro Bowl is eye-popping.
Neither he nor two-time Pro Bowl RB Saquon Barkley was among the top 10 vote-getters at their respective positions, as revealed Wednesday.
P Jamie Gillan (third in the NFL, first in the NFC), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (fifth, third) and LB Bobby Okereke (fifth, second) are the Giants in the best position to be selected.
Fan voting is open across a variety of official league platforms through Dec. 25.
Former third-round pick CB Aaron Robinson hasn’t yet returned to practice after tearing his ACL and MCL on Oct. 2, 2022.
It is possible that Robinson, who is under contract in 2024, spends the entire season on the Physically Unable to Perform List.
“Every injury is a little bit different,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “He’s making progress. Enough progress? I’m not sure yet.”