New York Giants: Johnathan Hankins Plans To Play Against Dallas

New York Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins suffered a quad injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he’ll play against the Dallas Cowboys.

The New York Giants are suffering injuries to the defensive line at the worst possible time. Both Jason Pierre-Paul and Johnathan Hankins went down during New York’s 24-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pierre-Paul has been ruled out for six weeks after undergoing surgery on a core injury, but Hankins plans to push through the pain in Week 14.

Hankins suffered a quad injury during the loss to Pittsburgh and proceeded to miss Wednesday’s practice. That inevitably led some to question whether or not he’d be available for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN’s NFL Nation, Hankins isn’t going to let himself miss the opportunity to beat the Cowboys.

Johnathan Hankins on if he's going to play this week. "No doubt." #Giants

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) December 7, 2016

New York is going to need him.

Playing without Pierre-Paul will be difficult enough, but the Giants are going up against one of the most star-studded offenses in the NFL. Dak Prescott is having an all-time rookie season and Dez Bryant remains one of the league’s most lethal red zone receivers.

More applicably to Hankins, New York will be tasked with stopping the league’s leading rusher: Ezekiel Elliott.

Elliott has accumulated 1,285 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns during what’s already one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. He’s a threat as a receiver out of the field backfield, as well, with 28 receptions for 332 yards and a score.

If the Giants are going to experience success against the run, they’ll need Hankins to be at his best.

Damon Harrison has been phenomenal for the Giants, but Hankins hasn’t been nearly as effective. He’s ranked No. 74 amongst interior linemen on Pro Football Focus and the game film corroborates the number.

New York held Elliott to 51 rushing yards on 20 carries in Week 1, but he’s run for at least 83 yards in all 11 games that have followed.

Hankins and Harrison are in for their biggest test of the season.