With Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, third-round rookie Lorenzo Carter could be in line both to start and play a significant amount of snaps in his NFL debut.

However, after appearing in a National Championship Game with the Georgia Bulldogs last season, Carter says he won't be overwhelmed by the moment and is more concerned about making sure the pass-rush doesn't skip a beat.

"I knew I had to be ready, regardless," Carter told NJ Advance Media following Friday's practice. "I hate it that he's out, but we're going to pick it up for him. We'll pick up the slack, and make sure there's no fall off."

After posting 4.5 sacks in a defense that featured inside linebacker Roquan Smith last season, Carter frequently drew high praise from the Giants coaching staff this summer and he finished the preseason with two sacks.

Inside linebacker B.J. Goodson says that it's easy to see why the Giants chose Carter in the third round and ready to step in in Vernon's absence.

"He gets better every day," Goodson told NJ Advance Media. "Every single day he gets better. If it's that, or dropping in coverage, reading keys, he gets better every single day. I look forward to seeing him out there.

"Zo's a young guy with a numerous amount of potential, and talent. I think that for him, I really feel like the sky is the limit. A player with his size, bend, athletic ability, the sky's the limit for him. He'll be ready for Sunday. His preparation is through the roof. I look forward to playing with him."

In the lead to Sunday's game, Shurmur says that he's seen Carter improve as a pass rusher in recent practices, which put him in a position to contribute immediately.

"Just pass rushing," Carter said. "It's understanding that we have to work as a unit as pass-rushers. If we work as a unit, everybody looks better. It's just more working as a unit and realizing what everyone else is doing, and going off of that."

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL.