NFL

With JPP out, Kiwanuka key for Giants defense

Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka can’t recall the last time he played every single snap of a game as he did Sunday; college, perhaps. And with Jason Pierre-Paul likely to miss his second straight game, Kiwanuka could see another marathon outing — and another chance to fill Big Blue’s pass-rushing void.

Pierre-Paul sat out practice again Thursday with a shoulder injury, and — despite refusing to talk to the media — all signs indicate he will miss Sunday’s game at San Diego. So even if Kiwanuka gets a few more breathers from rookie Damontre Moore against the Chargers, he knows he needs to break through on the sack stat sheet.

“Absolutely, I’m up for the challenge. We hope [Pierre-Paul] can come back at some point, but if not, we’ll be able to get the job done,’’ said Kiwanuka, who has four sacks. “I just need some more sacks. Other than that, it’s all good.’’

The Giants’ 23 sacks are third-worst in the NFL. Kiwanuka does have 2½ in his last five games, somewhat encouraging after mustering just 1½ through the first seven. But he acknowledged it’s not enough, and no matter how well he plays the run or grades out in other aspects of the game, he needs to get to the quarterback.

“You need a sack,’’ Kiwanuka said. “The No. 1 thing is to get a win, hands down. We’ll do whatever it takes to get a win. Past that, from an individual standpoint, as a defensive end, you need a sack. You want a couple of sacks. That’s what makes you go home feeling like you’re proud of what you did.’’

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said the pressure to get sacks is external, and cited Kiwanuka’s run-stopping. But Kiwanuka has just 24 tackles in a dozen games, on pace for the fewest per-game total of his career.

“That’s such a big word for media, for fans and for everyone, but you don’t talk about how well they play in the run game until we’re poor in the run game,” Fewell said. “Then you say they can’t play the run.

“He’s doing a hell of a job playing the run. The word sack is a way to knock a guy when they don’t get on the board, but he might be doing a hell of a job like Justin Tuck’s doing in the run game.’’

With Pierre-Paul sidelined, Kiwanuka and Tuck both played every snap against the Redskins last week, the first time Kiwanuka can remember doing that in the NFL.

“I’d probably have to go back to college maybe,’’ he said of the last time he may have played every down.

Pierre-Paul, coach Tom Coughlin said, is not expected to practice Friday. That essentially would rule the defensive end out against the Chargers. But Fewell professed confidence Kiwanuka and Tuck will be able to pressure Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers.

“Kiwi finished the game against the Raiders with a sack-caused fumble, and Tuck was able to come and do that last week,” Fewell said. “I think they’re going to complement each other, and you’ll see Kiwi come back and have a strong game, if not this game, the next game.

“It’s important because that’s what the media and fans talk about, sacks, sacks, sacks. But those guys do a hell of a job … playing the run.

“I think they take a lot of pride in playing the run, and when they’re able to get sacks it’s a feather in their cap. Everybody’s known for their ability to sack the quarterback. Do they go home feeling better? I don’t know. You’d have to ask them that. I know we feel good about them being able to be a complete football player.’’