New York Giants: Will Injuries Continue to Be an Issue for Big Blue?

Last season, Domenik Hixon went down in the preseason and began an unending rash of receiver injuries. Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden all missed significant time.

With that in mind, it’s not all that surprising Eli Manning threw a league-leading 25 interceptions.

This season seems to be following the same unfortunate trend—but on the defensive side—with Terrell Thomas being the first of the proverbial flies to drop. Brian Witherspoon was next, looking as if he was hit with the same swatter, while second-round pick Marvin Austin followed.

No, I haven’t forgotten Prince Amukamara’s foot or Osi Umenyiora's knee, but four weeks of rehab pale in comparison to season-ending injuries.

Amukamara's troubles might even be a blessing considering how things have been going. If he was on the field, he might have lost a limb.

Jokes aside, these losses will be troublesome for the Giants going forward, even moreso with the bombastic Eagles sitting across the division.

Many "experts" are already predicting Big Blue’s early demise.

That’s simply false.

A team with one of the best secondaries in football—and they have one of the top units—does not lose that status after one, two or even four injuries. The reason is depth; a group can only be as good as the sum of its parts.

Thomas will be a major blow, but looking at the pieces that will fill in, the future doesn’t look as dark as most seem to believe.

Working between the now Thomas-less unit happens to be arguably the best safety tandem in the NFL. Antrel Rolle and the finally healthy Kenny Phillips are capable of making any holes on the outside much less noticeable.

Additionally, the player who will be replacing Thomas is the oft-injured but undoubtedly talented Aaron Ross. It’s been quite a while since Ross made any major contributions to the team, but he was pivotal in the Super Bowl run just three years ago. He’s also looked nothing but solid in the preseason.

Corey Webster isn’t too shabby either (ask Brett Favre) and Amukamara will have plenty of time to prove he was worth the Giants’ first pick when he returns.

Another rash of injuries could very well knock the G-Men out of the ranks of the contending, but don’t jump the gun, America. Every team takes losses—the 2010 Packers, for example—it’s how that team rallies afterward that really matters.

Don’t count Big Blue out just yet.