The opportunity presented itself and Azeez Ojulari responded.

In his first start and most extensive action of the season, Ojulari recorded four tackles and two sacks (and should have added a third) Sunday night in the Giants’ first game since outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux underwent wrist surgery and landed on injured reserve .

But it wasn’t enough to prevent the Giants from losing 17-7 to the Bengals at MetLife Stadium.

“I thought Azeez was electric,” linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “We all have a lot of confidence in Azeez and his pass rush skills are very strong. We have a next-man-up mentality at every position and Azeez just delivered on that.”

Ojulari had the right approach to the offseason decision to replace him as the starter opposite Thibodeaux with prized rookie Brian Burns.

Instead of angrily demanding a trade or sulking into regression in the final year of his contract, Ojulari tried to find ways to stay healthy, learn tricks from two-time Pro Bowler Burns and prove he was still capable , to be just as productive as he was still early in his career before a series of injuries occurred.

Both of Ojulari’s sacks came on the Bengals’ final drive of the first half, when only two first downs would have made a reasonable field goal attempt possible. He also crashed into running back Zack Moss on a potentially point-saving play when Okereke picked off the ball and Micah McFadden recovered a fumble.

“I tried to come in, execute the game plan as best as I could and help us win,” Ojulari said. “But we didn’t make it. I definitely left a lot of plays out there.”

Before one of his sacks, Ojulari attempted a strip sack but lost his footing and footing to Joe Burrow, who slipped away and threw an incompletion.

“Burrow is elusive,” Ojulari said. “When you get there, you really have to take him down.”

Ojulari averaged 23 defensive snaps through the first five games, the lowest of his career, compared to 48 by Thibodeaux and 52 by Burns. Various calf, hip, ankle and hamstring injuries caused him to miss 16 of 34 games over the last two seasons.

He added yoga to his leisure routine to crack the code to health. So far, so good.

“Azeez always showed what he could do when he came in there,” Burns said. “It’s unfortunate that Thibs went down, but I knew Azeez was ready, so it doesn’t surprise me.”

Ojulari, who had 13.5 sacks in his first 24 career games but 3.5 in the next 16, will have at least three more chances to start while Thibodeaux is sidelined.

If he continues to play well and the Giants stay in the playoffs, Ojulari will open up new opportunities for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

If he continues to play well and the Giants keep losing, Ojulari could be a possible trade chip for draft compensation before the November 5th deadline.

The former second-round draft pick is the only player on the Giants’ active roster and practice squad that third-year general manager Joe Schoen neither acquired nor re-signed.