New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari began his NFL career in 2021 as a highly touted second-round draft pick out of Georgia.

Ojulari dropped out in the second round because of concerns about his surgically repaired knee. The Giants struck and were rewarded by Ojulari, who set a franchise record for sacks by a rookie (8).

But as of this season, Ojulari has been largely unavailable due to various injuries that don’t include the knee that caused him to miss the draft.

Ojulari started just 10 games over the next two seasons and went to training camp this year. He was replaced by players like Kayvon Thibodeaux, Boogie Basham and Brian Burns.

The Giants had lost hope that the once-promising Ojulari would ever fulfill his once-vast potential.

This season, those hopes have been rekindled as Ojulari, who will be a free agent next March, has stayed healthy and become a force attacking the passer.

Ojulari has 6.0 sacks in the Giants’ first eight games this season and was given a chance due to a wrist injury to Thibodeaux. When Ojulari was asked how he handled the unexpected opportunity, he injected some wisdom into his answer.

“It’s an opportunity presented to me. I try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. Every chance, every reputation I get. “I’m trying to make the best of it that I can,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “I know it’s my fourth year here. I just have to give it my all and try to help this team win. Play good defense. That’s all I really want to do.”

Now there is a possibility of losing Ojulari to free agency as the team relies on Burns and Thibodeaux.

“Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I’m just ready to continue working here. I love it here. Ready to keep working. I just do my thing.”

The Giants would also like to keep him. With the trade deadline less than a week away, they apparently have no intention of moving Ojulari, who is on pace for a 13-sack season.

The real story is that Ojulari has stayed healthy and with that comes a new attitude toward the job and the game.

“It feels great because we put so much work into this game. Nobody wants to get hurt. It’s just part of the game, things you can’t control. You just have to play your role, play your game and “just try to be as good as you can when you’re out there,” he said.

Thibodeaux will be back soon and the Giants will have another embarrassment of riches with their pass rush leading the NFL in sacks this year.

“Whenever he gets healthy, we’re just going to try to keep competing, keep performing, push each other, work together and just keep getting better and help this team win. And we have a great defense all in one,” Ojulari said.

The Giants haven’t had many sunny stories this season and you never know where they’ll come from. The resurgence of Ojulari was more than a pleasant and welcome surprise for Big Blue.

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This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari is healthy and reviving his career