To ‘D’ rescue: Vernon, Apple, Mauro ready to return
The Giants are getting some help on defense this week, as defensive end Josh Mauro returns after sitting out a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Oh, and by the way, the Giants are also anticipating the return to the starting lineup of linebacker Olivier Vernon — who has yet to play this season — and cornerback Eli Apple.
It could be an injection to help a defense that is not at all the primary reason why the Giants are 1-3.
Vernon missed the first four games dealing with a high ankle sprain and did enough work in practice last week to put himself in the plans for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Coach Pat Shurmur said he is “optimistic’’ about Vernon. Apple missed the past two games with a strained groin and also appears ready to make his return.
Mauro is a newcomer, signed to a one-year, $880,000 contract, a player well-versed in defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s system as a fouryear member of the Cardinals. Mauro played in 47 games, with 26 starts, for the Cardinals and the Stanford product should find his way into the Giants’ defensive line rotation. His suspension kept him away from the team for a month and he will return to practice Wednesday. The Giants have a one-week roster exemption for Mauro and when they reinstate him to the 53-man roster, there will have to be a corresponding move.
“All I want to do is just help contribute,’’ Mauro said Monday. “It’s a lot different watching than actually being out there. It was a good lesson, you learn from everything, ups and downs. I’m very grateful to be back here and I just want to contribute.’’
Mauro, 27, says he believes he can add some energy to the defense.
“Flying around, celebrating with your teammates, being physical, that’s very contagious,’’ he said. “People see that and you can build off that.’’
Unable to practice with the team, Mauro remained in the New Jersey area and, he said, trained five or six times a week. He said he watched so much football he grew sick of it. It was difficult for him to replicate actual football activity.
“You try to balance it out and you try to do as much football-simulated stuff as you can,’’ Mauro said, “but I can’t find 300-pound dudes and tell them to put pads on and come attack me. There’s just not guys out there like that. That’s why the guys in this locker room are in this locker room. It’s rare to find people that can keep you sharp at that level.’’