Frankie

Luvu

Luvu is one of the Commanders’ best all-around defenders, so his absence would be felt if he is unable to play against the Giants. Speedy running back Tyrone Tracy is currently making his way through the NFL’s concussion protocol and could be good to go, come Sunday. His day would be made far easier if Luvu is absent.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first with the story, as Luvu, a former UDFA of the Jets back in 2018, Luvu has spent the last three seasons with the Panthers and became an integral part of the defense in 2022. With 100-plus tackles to his name in each of the last two years, Luvu excelled at creating pressure up the middle last season, earning a PFF pass rush grade of 90.1 while also totaling 5.5 sacks. Luvu has totaled 12.5 sacks over the last two years, while also breaking up nine passes and forcing three forced fumbles. He’s an instant upgrade for the Commanders inside linebacker corps, as former first-rounder Jamin Davis has struggled to live up to his draft capital.

The 25-year-old was scheduled to be a free agent in March. Luvu made four starts and played 24% of defensive snaps in his first year with Carolina, forcing a fumble and recovering three while posting 1.5 sacks. The contract is a strong sign the Panthers are planning an expanded 2022 role for Luvu, a special teamer that received All-Pro votes and one of the team’s highest graded defenders at PFF last season.

A depth piece the past three years in New York, Luvu was called on for more than 250 snaps twice in three seasons. He has six career sacks off the edge. Still only 25 (in September), he’s a nice player to have near the end of the roster.

Injury turned Langi into an every-down player down the stretch last season before he suffered a neck injury of his own. His current health situation is unclear. The former UDFA turns 29 in September. He has made nine career starts.

He will miss at least the next three weeks. Luvu has played 180 snaps through six weeks, typically sticking in the 20-25 range. His loss further thins the Jets’ already nonexistent defensive depth.

Luvu has appeared in 27 games over the past two seasons, racking up 34 tackles and four sacks along the way. He’ll likely continue to serve as a situational backup defender in the front-seven next season.

Luvu was an exclusive rights free agent. He got on the field for 442 defensive snaps in 2018, making one start while registering three sacks. Pro Football Focus nevertheless rated him as a well-below average outside ‘backer. Luvu’s 53-man roster spot is not guaranteed for 2019.