Giants’ S Jabrill Peppers says diminished defensive role is “different”

Peppers played less than half of Giants’ defensive snaps vs. Denver

New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers played 94 percent of Giants’ defensive snaps in 13 of 15 games last season, with the other two impacted by injury. He played 100 percent of the defensive snaps eight times.

Thus, it was notable on Sunday against the Denver Broncos that Peppers often came off the field as the Giants made substitutions. He ended up playing just 30 defensive snaps, or 45 percent. That’s the lowest total in his two-plus seasons as a Giant.

“It’s different,” Peppers said of going on and off the field. “Right now, it’s just the game plan right now. Whatever the coaches think is best for that week, that’s what it’s going to be.”

Peppers said his defensive playing time at this point will be a “week to week” thing.

“That’s something you’ve got to talk to (head coach) Joe (Judge) about,” Peppers said.

“I wouldn’t read anything into that at all. Pep’s a guy who’s going to play a lot of ball for us. Pep’s going to play a lot in a significant role, he’s a captain on this team, he’s a key member of our defense and our special teams units,” Judge said of Peppers’ diminished playing time. “The plan was really just with his best interest in mind, in terms of making sure he can stay fresh through all the different responsibilities he has on the team. But I would definitely not read too much into that. He’s a key part of our team for a reason.”

Peppers did call his play “sub-par” vs. the Broncos.

“When my number is called, do a better job than I did last week. I’ve got to play better press technique. When my number is called just make sure I do what I’ve got to do,” he said. “I gave up two big third downs. I gave up a catch in the red zone. I don’t believe – I don’t think that one was for the first down, but still nonetheless, the standard I hold myself to, those are routes that I usually cover in my sleep. It is what it is, I’ve just got to go back to the drawing board, hone in and get better.”

As long as the Giants are mostly healthy (cornerback Aaron Robinson is on PUP) in the secondary, we always knew that someone was going to get the short end of the stick when it came to playing time.

At least in Week 1, that was Peppers.