There's a chance S Jabrill Peppers' first season with the Giants is going to end early.
The team announced on Monday following the loss to the Bears that he suffered a transverse process fracture. Peppers left the game early with what was called a hip injury, but this is actually a spinal injury.
According to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano, this injury would be "at best" a six-week recovery. And with the Giants' record at 2-9, there would be no need to rush Peppers back out on the field.
However, head coach Pat Shurmur said during his conference call on Monday that he doesn't believe the injury will end his season. He said it will come down to Peppers' "pain tolerance."
On the left and right sides of each vertebrae is a transverse process, and normally a fracture occurs during a forceful impact. The injury may have come from his long punt return in the second quarter on Sunday, where he was spun around and then hit hard.
This would be a very tough blow for the Giants if it becomes official that he has to sit out the rest of the season. Peppers has easily been the Giants' top defender, leading the team in tackles with 76 while collecting three forced fumbles, an interception he ran back for a touchdown, six tackles for loss and five passes defended.
The 24-year-old has certainly made a name for himself in Giants blue after coming over in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. And though things look bleek now, Peppers has become a young defensive piece the Giants are looking forward to have for years to come.
In Peppers' place, rookie Julian Love -- who had a solid game against the Bears -- should see more defensive snaps next to Antoine Bethea.