The New York Giants don’t need any more worrying injury news about Andrew Thomas, the All-Pro left tackle who is arguably the most important player on the team. Unfortunately, Thomas needed a second surgery this offseason to try and fix ongoing problems in both feet.
Thomas was already getting over the Lisfranc injury that ended his season prematurely, but that was just the beginning of the problems for the lone marquee offensive lineman on the roster.
As Thomas revealed to Dan Duggan of The Athletic on Thursday, August 28, he “had another surgery in April to have the screw removed from his foot. The screw had been inserted during the initial surgery in October. Thomas said doctors told him at the time it was 50/50 if the screw would need to be removed. His was removed because it was causing discomfort. That obviously added time to his recovery timeline.”
Not only was Thomas’ recovery delayed, he’d “already had his other ankle scoped early in the offseason. That was the same ankle that had been surgically repaired multiple times (and on the other leg from his Lisfranc injury). He said the scope was planned even before the Lisfranc injury just to remove scar tissue. He said that ankle is fine now.”
It’s significant Duggan also reported Thomas is “planning to run tomorrow after having today off (the rest of the team is off until Monday). Tomorrow will be an important checkpoint to determine Thomas’ participation level in the team’s next practice on Wednesday, which will be the last full pads practice before the opener.”
Getting Thomas ready for Week 1’s clash against NFC East rivals the Washington Commanders will be crucial for Big Blue’s chances of starting the season the right way.
Giants’ Fortunes Still Tethered to Thomas’ Health
It’s become typical for the offense and season to unravel for the Giants once Thomas returns to the treatment table. That’s what has happened in each of the last two seasons, with the 2024 Giants surrendering 34 of the 48 sacks they gave up, after Thomas went down in Week 6.
An offensive line sans Thomas was victimized for eight sacks against the Philadelphia Eagles the following week. It was the start of a miserable run during which the Giants allowed three or more sacks in a game six times.
This kind of disparity with and without Thomas is why the fourth pick in the 2020 NFL draft is a bigger story for the Giants than new quarterbacks, 10-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson and this year’s first-round pick Jaxson Dart.
Both are going to need Thomas at full strength locking down one side of a still suspect line. It’s a responsibility Thomas has handled well enough to rank “6th among LTs” since 2021, per Pro Football Focus.
This ranking is made more impressive in the context of Thomas missing 23 games since his rookie campaign. How prepared they are to fare without Thomas is now as important to the Giants as who’s throwing the passes.
The Commanders will pose problems whether or not the Giants have No. 78 available at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, September 7.
Giants Need Best Protection Plan vs. Commanders
They don’t boast the edge-rushing riches of the Giants, who are loaded enough to make a U-turn about a new arrival’s role, but the Commanders have a sneaky good pass rush. It starts with roving linebacker Frankie Luvu, who is set to rush from the edge more often, but the addition of future Hall of Famer Von Miller makes Washington’s defensive front dangerous.
Ideally, the Giants would’ve had Thomas get enough of a workout this offseason to be ready for the Commanders. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old was forced to start training camp on the PUP list.
If Thomas isn’t ready, the Giants will be forced to consider a series of uninspiring options. Including shifting Jermaine Eluemunor from right to left tackle, or even giving draft bust Evan Neal a shot at his natural position.
The simplest move would involve trusting low-key free agency signing James Hudson III at the critical spot up front. He’s a career backup with just 17 starts on his CV, so Hudson would be an obvious focal point for the Commanders and their pass rush.
It’s the same problem the Giants face every time they’re without Thomas. His long-term health will still be as important to their season as any other factor.
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