Giants' Dennard Wilson Says Coaches Take 'Full Responsibility' for Pass Rush
The defensive coordinator said the Giants will push the pocket up the middle and send extra pressure, and that rookie Arvell Reese can move to the line of scrimmage.
Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said Thursday that the coaching staff takes "full responsibility" for the team's lack of sacks and will move players into different spots to create pressure without outside linebacker Brian Burns.
The Giants placed Burns on injured reserve Tuesday after he tore his ACL in Sunday's 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Wilson said the Giants will try to push the pocket in the A and B gaps and will send extra pressure. He said rookie linebacker Arvell Reese can move up to the line of scrimmage.
Wilson also discussed edge rusher Jihad Ward, who played for him in Tennessee last season. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday that the Giants are signing Ward off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad. The team had not announced the move as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Wilson said he moved Ward inside and outside in Tennessee and that Ward had about seven sacks last season. Ward had five sacks for the Titans in 2025.
Wilson said the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Rams and the Titans all got the ball out quickly against Giants pressure. "It's early," he said. "It's not like a catastrophe out here."
SNY posted video of Wilson's news conference.
Wilson said the Giants forced six three-and-outs on Tennessee's first possessions. Tennessee went three-and-out on its first five offensive possessions after losing a fumble on the opening kickoff; its sixth drive ended in a missed field goal.
Outside linebacker Abdul Carter told Big Blue View in an interview published Thursday that he is "disgusted" with the pass rush.
The Giants (2-1) host the Arizona Cardinals (1-2) at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday on CBS.