54 Olivier Vernon OLB

The Giants are trading Vernon and a fourth-round pick to the Browns in exchange for guard Kevin Zeitler and a fifth-round selection, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

This is a rare swap of two high-quality starters, with the Browns getting a small draft bonus for taking on Vernon's large contract. The 28-year-old pass rusher had 131 tackles and 22 sacks in 39 games for the Giants, providing a solid return on his five-year, $85 million deal. Vernon will now team up with Myles Garrett in Cleveland to form one of the more impressive pass-rushing duos in the NFL.

Vernon logged five total tackles and two sacks in Sunday's 36-35 loss to the Cowboys.

Vernon finished the season with seven sacks and 30 tackles in 11 games, respectable totals for an edge rusher who missed the first five games due to injury. Vernon is the third-highest-paid player on the team after Eli Manning -- who could be cut this offseason -- and Odell Beckham, so the Giants will need him to stay healthier in 2019. It's unlikely Vernon would be a candidate for release, as the Giants would save only $11.5 million of the $19.5 million in salary he's owed by doing so.

Vernon logged five tackles (four solo) and 1.5 sacks during Sunday's 40-16 win over Washington.

It's often said that sacks come in bunches, and Vernon has now made 3.5 sacks across his previous two games. After missing the first five weeks of the regular season due to an ankle injury, Vernon is coming on as a solid IDP play down the stretch. He'll look to record another solid outing against the Titans in Week 15.

Vernon recorded five tackles (all solo), including two sacks, and forced a fumble in Sunday's overtime win over the Bears.

Vernon has struggled thus far this year, but you wouldn't know it watching him play Sunday. He was a force in the pass and run game, recording his first sacks since Week 6 and totaling a season high in tackles. If he can continue playing at a similar level, he'll warrant consideration in IDP formats. Looking ahead, Vernon and the Giants take on the Redskins in Week 14.

Vernon recorded three tackles (one solo) and a fumble recovery across 58 defensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Redskins.

Vernon trailed only B.J. Goodson in defensive snaps amongst the linebacking corps Sunday and is averaging a little over 58 snaps per game since his return to the field.

Vernon had two tackles and a sack in Thursday's 34-13 loss to the Eagles, his first game back from a preseason ankle injury.

Vernon is the team's best edge rusher, so his presence is important to the defense. The 27-year-old was able to play 54 of 71 defensive snaps in his season debut.

Vernon (ankle) doesn't have a designation on the Giants' final injury report for Thursday's game against the Eagles.

Vernon was a limited practice participant throughout the week and will now make his first appearance in a game this season. The Giants have sorely missed their top edge defender, notching just six sacks in five games while allowing 4.6 yards per carry and 124 rushing yards per contest. It won't come as any surprise if Vernon is eased into action on a restricted snap count.

Vernon (ankle) was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice. He took part in individual drills during the portion of the session that was available to the media, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Vernon's involvement in the Giants' first session of the week is an encouraging sign, but he may need to put in a full workout Wednesday to have a realistic shot at making his season debut Thursday against the Eagles. Whenever he's deemed ready to go, Vernon will step into a starting role at outside linebacker, which could translate to reduced snaps for the likes of Lorenzo Carter and Connor Barwin.

Vernon (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Coach Pat Shurmur said he's optimistic Vernon will be ready for a Thursday game against the Eagles in Week 6, but it needs to be noted that Shurmur said the same thing about Week 5 earlier this week. The Giants will have to play without their top pass rusher for a fifth time in as many games this season.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said he's "optimistic" Vernon (ankle) will be back this week, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Vernon has yet to play this season but returned to practice last week. The Giants also expressed optimism that Vernon would play in Week 4 before ultimately ruling him out. He should be considered questionable for the time being.

Vernon (ankle) was ruled out for Sunday's game against New Orleans, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Vernon will miss his fourth straight game to start the season, but coach Pat Shurmur indicated he hasn't suffer a setback and is nearing a return. The 27-year-old returned to practice as a limited participant this week, which hopefully spells good news for a potential season debut in Week 5.

Vernon (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

This is Vernon's first practice participation of any kind since the end of the preseason. A Week 4 appearance might be a lot for which to ask, but he's at least taking a step in the right direction as the Giants prepare to host the Saints on Sunday. The Big Blue defense has struggled without its top pass rusher, generating just four sacks in three games while allowing 7.4 yards per pass attempt.

Head coach Pat Shurmur said Vernon (ankle) is showing signs of improvement, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports.

Per Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record, Shurmur is hopeful Vernon will be ready to play in Week 4 against the Saints, though it's too early to make a declaration yet. Vernon has yet to play this season after injuring his ankle in the preseason.

Vernon (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Houston, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

The Giants will play without their top pass rusher for a third consecutive game to open the season, leaving Connor Barwin (knee) and Lorenzo Carter to fill in at outside linebacker. With starting cornerback Eli Apple (groin) also ruled out, the Houston passing attack sees a favorable matchup become even more friendly.

Vernon (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Vernon has yet to return to the practice field since the regular season began, even though head coach Pat Shurmer indicated last week that he was hopeful about the pass rusher's availability for Sunday's matchup with the Texans. He'll need to practice in at least a limited fashion Thursday or Friday to have a realistic shot at making his season debut in Week 3.

Vernon (ankle) won't play in Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Forced to play without their best pass rusher for a second time in as many weeks, the Giants will turn to Connor Barwin and Lorenzo Carter on the edge. Vernon still hasn't been able to practice, but coach Pat Shurmur said he's hopeful to have the 27-year-old available for Week 3 against Houston.

Vernon (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Head coach Pat Shurmur said his top pass rusher would practice in some capacity, but the Giants' official injury report says otherwise. The 27-year-old didn't practice at all last week prior to sitting out Sunday's 20-15 loss to Jacksonville, and another absence for Week 2 in Dallas would be a major blow to the New York defense.

Giants head coach Pat Shumur said Vernon (ankle) would practice Wednesday in some capacity.

The team will likely see how Vernon's sprained ankle responds to light activity early in the session before determining if he's fit for team drills, which will likely dictate if the defensive end receives a limited or full participation designation on Wednesday's practice report. Regardless of how Vernon is labeled, it appears the team is optimistic he'll be able to suit up Week 2 in Dallas after sitting out the season-opening 20-15 loss to Jacksonville. Vernon has tallied 15 sacks across 28 games through his first two seasons with Big Blue.

Vernon (ankle) will practice prior to Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Vernon's absence was felt in New York's season opener against the Jaguars, when the Giants were unable to secure a victory without their top pass rusher.The star outside linebacker will need to practice in full sometime this week to have any chance of suiting up against the rival Cowboys on Sunday.

Vernon (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

With the Giants missing their top pass rusher for the season opener, Jaguars QB Blake Bortles gets a slight upgrade in what was already a favorable matchup. Rookie third-round pick Lorenzo Carter and 31-year-old Connor Barwin figure to absorb the snaps that would normally go to Vernon, who has 15.5 sacks and 101 tackles in 28 games since signing with the Giants.