Theo Johnson was talking about the Giants players on offense no longer healthy and able to play again this season and the need for those who remain to pick it up in their absence.
The second-year tight end crystalized what has gone down.
“Because there’s a void there,’’ Johnson told The Post on Wednesday.
Yes, there is a void there. Actually, two of them. Two great big voids.
This is the journey Jaxson Dart must take as he moves through his rookie season as the quarterback.
It was always going to be difficult for Dart to navigate through the loss of stud wide receiver Malik Nabers two quarters into Dart’s life as the starter and the double whammy of also losing running back Cam Skattebo leaves the offense without its top two playmakers and two most dynamic weapons.
This Sunday, when the Giants (2-6) return to MetLife Stadium to face the 49ers (5-3), it will be the first time Dart goes into a game knowing he has to rely on Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson in the passing game, along with tight ends Theo Johnson and Daniel Bellinger, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the running game.
That there will be no Skattebo in addition to no Nabers. This likely will be a difficult challenge for Dart.
“I don’t think they need to hear it much from me,’’ Dart said. “I have overwhelming confidence in all the guys that step on the field with me, I never have any doubt when I’m on the field, they all know that. It’s just our conversations during practice and whatnot. I don’t think that’s really a thing that’s a concern internally with us.
“Yeah, there’s been just a lot of different plug-and-play situations, obviously. We’ve been a little banged up at some skill positions spots with Malik and then Slay missing time. And obviously with Skatt. Guys are going to be able to step up. That’s just part of the NFL, Every team is going to have injuries and you’ve got to be able to weather the storms with those and we got a lot of good guys in the building.’’
When told of Dart’s outspoken faith in the players at his disposal, Tracy nodded in agreement.
“We all have faith, though,’’ Tracy said. “We all understand what we got and what we have in this locker room is all we need. We don’t need nobody else to come and get us a win. We can really do it ourselves.
“We definitely got enough. Whoever we have in this locker room and if we put you out on that field we definitely have faith that you and your ability is enough to go out there and get the ‘W.’ ’’
The NFL trading deadline arrives on Tuesday and the Giants are unlikely to add a difference-making player. They must endure with what they have, for the most part, and nothing will come easily.
The 49ers are not what they once were but they still present issues. The next five opponents for the Giants (49ers, Bears, Packers, Lions and Patriots) are a combined 25-11-1.
“Yeah, everybody’s got tough opponents, it’s the NFL,’’ veteran guard Greg Van Roten said. “But Jaxson gives us a chance to win every game. That’s why he was drafted where he was drafted when he was drafted and that’s why he’s starting right now in his rookie year. So, we believe in him, and we know no one’s got an easy road and we’ve dug ourselves a hole, but this is the league. There’s a lot of football left to be played.’’
A lot of football left to be played without their leading receiver and leading rusher.
“I’ve had a lot of adversity in my career,’’ Dart said, “So I’ve had to make strides when things really didn’t look the brightest in moments. For me, losing hurts. It crushes us because of the work you put in and the expense you put out there on the field. That’s kind of just how I play the game, I give it everything that I have. It definitely sucks when some things don’t go your way, but I’m also very optimistic. I see a bright future here and I just know that it’s going to to take each rep, each game and you got to be able to just take advantage of those moments.’’
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
