Headed into Week 12, Schooler had been on the field for 82.1 percent of the team’s special teams snaps. He plays a key part in punt coverage, kickoff coverage, punt returns, and kickoff returns. According to coach Mike Vrabel, cornerbacks Miles Battle and Charles Woods, along with safety Dell Pettus, will have an opportunity to earn a role.
“It’s hard to replace a guy that’s had that much success on special teams, but those other guys have stepped up and helped us as well,” Vrabel said Saturday. “It’ll be a group effort and you know how critical that gunner position is out there when we punt.”
Get Starting Point
Monday’s game will be the Patriots’ last before their long-awaited bye week. It will also be the toughest test yet of their depth, as they were already without defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle) and left tackle Will Campbell (knee). Both are on injured reserve.
If Tonga cannot go, then New England’s stout run defense will certainly take another hit. Williams, Tonga, and defensive tackle Christian Barmore have been the central contributors in stymieing opposing running backs.
Just last week, with Williams sidelined and Tonga unable to return because of his injury, the Patriots allowed Chase Brown to run for 107 yards on 19 carries (5.6 yards per carry).
In their last four games, the Giants are averaging 137.5 rushing yards. Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary are their top options out of the backfield, with Cam Skattebo on injured reserve. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is also capable of picking up yards with his legs.
“Good running football team led by quarterbacks that are mobile and can run, whether that’s designed or play extension,” Vrabel said. “They’re averaging, I think, 35 carries in those last three games. That’s a lot of carries. They’ve got good backs and they’ve got multiple schemes. They do it from under center, they do it from the gun, or they do it from the pistol.”
If Landry cannot go, then New England’s already thin pass rushing depth will take a major hit. Landry played last week, despite being listed as questionable heading into kickoff.
The Patriots will welcome back inside linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who did not travel to Cincinnati last week for personal reasons. Tavai returned to the field in a limited capacity on Friday before being a full participant in Saturday’s practice.
Giants’ Thibodeaux to miss game
The Giants ruled out edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux with a shoulder injury. Thibodeaux has not practiced the past three weeks and will miss his third game in a row. The Giants also listed cornerback Korie Black (biceps) and linebackers Swayze Bozeman (hip), Victor Dimukeje (knee), and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (neck/knee) as questionable.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.
