Players to watch in Week 17 matchup

With Bobby Okereke sidelined for the third consecutive game, Darius Muasau once again saw extended action at inside linebacker. The rookie linebacker played 99 percent of the team’s defensive snaps against the Falcons, one week after he played every defensive snap against the Ravens. It should not come as a surprise that Muasau had two of his highest-volume days in the last two outings with 17 total tackles, including one tackle for loss, during that span.

“He’s doing a really good job for us,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said about the rookie linebacker. “I think he’s playing fast, him and Micah (McFadden) both playing fast in there, flying around, been disruptive. I think the front’s been disruptive up front, allowing those guys to run around a little bit, to be a little bit clean, to go make plays. And he’s physical, he’s got some instincts. So, he’s done a good job with the opportunities he’s had, and hopefully that continues here in these last couple weeks.”

With Okereke now on injured reserve and Micah McFadden dealing with a neck injury, the Giants are likely going to lean heavily on the rookie inside linebacker this weekend against the Colts. Muasau has 25 total tackles (12 solo) since seeing his playing time increase in Week 13, and he could be in for another big game on Sunday. During their Week 16 win over the Titans, the Colts rushed the ball a total of 50 times for 335 yards, good for an average of 6.7 yards per carry, and four touchdowns. Most of the production came from quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor, who combined for 288 yards and all four scores on just 38 rush attempts (7.6-yard average).

After missing the previous two games due to a shoulder injury, cornerback Dru Phillips returned to game action in Atlanta. Phillips finished the game with four total tackles (three solo), including a tackle for loss, and forced his second fumble of the season. The rookie cornerback lined up primarily in the slot (51 of 65 defensive snaps) and allowed four receptions for just 23 yards in coverage.

Phillips has now surrendered 23 receiving yards or less in six of the 10 full games he’s played, according to PFF. The analytics site has the 23-year-old inside their top-five best rookie cornerbacks in coverage this season, while Phillips’ 20 defensive stops leads all rookie corners (PFF defines a defensive stop as a tackle that constitutes a “failure” for the offense). The rookie corner will likely be lined up in coverage against Josh Downs this Sunday, as Downs has played in the slot on nearly 85 percent of his snaps this year. This has led to 59 receptions for 687 yards and five touchdowns, all of which lead the Colts.