Why Was Dexter Lawrence on Bench in OT? Kafka Explains as Giants DT 'Was in Tears'

New York Giants head coach Mike Kafka told reporters on Monday that star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence wasn't available for the start of overtime against the Detroit Lions on Sunday due to an injury he had been battling throughout the game.

"The communication was brought up to me, and again, he was a guy that was battling through this injury," he said. "Probably just toughed it out for us and was trying to give us everything he had. So the decision was just to play him in those pass situations, second-and-longs, third-and-longs so he could be a factor on a limited snap count. I thought that was the right thing to do in handling it, and hats off to Dexter for toughing it out and working through that because he got dinged up. I mean this guy was in tears on the sideline, just wanting to be out there with the players, and gave us his all."

The Giants weren't on the field defensively for long in overtime, as Jahmyr Gibbs reeled off a 69-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, which ultimately was the game-winning score in Detroit's 34-27 victory.

Gibbs' 69-Yard TD in OT 🔥

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Kafka confirmed that Lawrence would have "absolutely" been back out there had the drive continued.

"There was a management part of that to make sure we could maximize him in certain situations—third downs, things like that where his pass rush could be in effect," he added. "So, he wasn't out there for that first down."

▶️ Full Giants-Lions Recap

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There was a backlash in New York after the game, however, with that important context unknown to fans and pundits:

The Giants responded to the loss by firing defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, just two weeks after former head coach Brian Daboll was also axed. The Giants have now blown five double-digit leads this season, including on Sunday.

"My decision," Kafka told reporters Monday regarding the firing of Bowen. "My decision to make this move. ... The results just weren't where we wanted them to be, and so [outside linebackers coach and interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen] is going to step up for us and rally the group. The defensive staff will rally around Charlie and put together a great plan. I got a lot of confidence in the room and a lot of confidence in our staff to do that."

As for Lawrence, the 28-year-old has registered 24 tackles (two for loss), 0.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, three passes defensed and an interception through 12 games. It's been a down year for the three-time Pro Bowler, though it was an injury that kept him on the sidelines during overtime.