Giants’ Olivier Vernon will miss fifth consecutive game at Panthers

New York Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (ankle) will miss his fifth consecutive game.

Vernon, who initially suffered his injury during the final week of the preseason, will not play when the Giants take on the Carolina Panthers Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Giants are in desperate need of Vernon’s pass rushing ability.

Through four games, the Giants are tied for last in the NFL with five sacks. Vernon has 15 sacks in 28 career games with the Giants. He is the only player currently on the roster besides Connor Barwin with more than four sacks in a season.

Head coach Pat Shurmur has been hopeful of Vernon’s recovery.

“Best week, no setbacks,” Shurmur said earlier in the week. “But we felt like here at the end of the week, because he did so much more and he was involved in team activities, give him a little rest.”

The Giants have a quick turnaround after facing Carolina. They return to MetLife Stadium for a Thursday night game to open Week 6 against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

“I’m optimistic,” Shurmur said of Vernon’s future availability. “I felt really good about this week, too. We’ll just have to see.”

Tight end Evan Engram (knee) is still recovering from a sprained MCL and will not play against Carolina.

The Giants did get some good news on the injury front. Cornerback Eli Apple, who missed the past two games with a groin injury, is listed as probable. Wide receiver Cody Latimer (knee) is probable after missing last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Wide receiver Sterling Shepard is also listed as probable after having surgery to remove a cyst on his back. Barwin (knee), and cornerback Antonio Hamilton, and nose tackle Damon Harrison (knee) are also listed as probable.

All players except Vernon and Engram were full participants in practice this week.

– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL, the New York Giants, and the NBA. Please like and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.