Ogletree chopped down by injury as ‘D’ takes hit

The Giants defense will be down three starters Sunday. Cornerback Eli Apple and defensive tackle Damon Harrison were traded earlier in the week, and now top linebacker Alec Ogletree (hamstring) will miss the game, too.

Coach Pat Shurmur was evasive when asked who would replace Ogletree at middle linebacker, saying it will be “a job share.” B.J. Goodson starts at middle linebacker in the base 3-4 defense but usually comes out in sub packages. He will likely wear the communications helmet.

“B.J. will be in there much more than he has been,” Shurmur said. “He’s done it before, so we are confident he’s going to do a good job.”

Nate Stupar and Ukeme Eligwe could see their roles expand as well.

The Giants brought B.W. Webb in for depth in March, another body in the secondary. He’ll be the starter the rest of the season now, following the Apple trade to the Saints.

“It’s a great opportunity, man,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. I get a chance to be on the field more.”

The 28-year-old defensive back didn’t appear in an NFL game last year and has spent time with the Browns, Steelers, Bears, Titans, Saints and Cowboys, who took him in the fourth round of the 2013 draft out of William & Mary.

He’s been pressed into duty like this before. Webb started a career-high eight games for the Saints in 2016 and was the starter for the Giants’ lone win Sept. 23 against the Texans, when Apple was out with a groin injury.

“I have a lot of confidence in myself,” Webb said. “Coaches obviously have confidence in me to put me out there. I’m just ready to get out there and ball.

“It’s big. It’s big in the fact I can go out there and show what I can do.”