The New York Giants open training camp Wednesday, but one of the franchise’s most important players won’t be on the field with his teammates as practices get underway.
All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas will open camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, dealing a blow to an offensive line looking to quickly build chemistry and cohesion in hopes of igniting the offense this season.
Thomas, 26, suffered a Lis Frac sprain last season, and was limited to just six games.
One of the premier players at his position, Thomas was named a Second-Team All-Pro following a stellar 2022 season. The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Thomas will look to return to his top form once he’s able to get on the field this season, after allowing 16 pressures and four sacks, according to Pro Football Focus last season.
As long as Thomas is on the PUP list, he isn’t permitted to practice but can participate in team meetings and film sessions during training camp.
How Giants Will Look to Replace Andrew Thomas
GettyThe New York Giants will be without All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas as training camp opens.
With Thomas sidelined for the start of camp, his practice reps will likely be split between 25-year-old tackle Joshua Ezeudu and former Cleveland Browns fourth-round draft choice James Hudson over the next several days or weeks.
Ezeudu, 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, was originally chosen by the Giants with the No. 67 overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has appeared in 33 games, including making three starts last season.
Pro Football Focus points out that the former North Carolina standout surrendered two sacks and 15 quarterback pressures last season.
Meanwhile, Hudson struggled mightily last season while allowing 16 pressures and earning a meager 50.4 overall grade from PFF.
Thomas missing practice time certainly is a hurdle for the offensive line, but could give the Giants’ coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate the likes of Ezeudu and Hudson both in terms of how to stack the depth chart this season and whether either will ultimately even make the roster next month.
Giants Add Secondary Help, Signing K’Von Wallace
GettyThe New York Giants have signed veteran defensive back K’Von Wallace.
On the eve of training camp opening, the Giants added quality defensive back depth, signing former Seattle Seahawk and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback K’Von Wallace.
Wallace, 27, tried out for the Giants during the team’s minicamp in East Rutherford this spring, and is yet another veteran presence at a position group that has seen an influx of additions this offseason thanks to safety Javon Holland and cornerback Paulson Adebo’s arrival into a previously unheralded and young secondary.
The 5-foot-11 and 205-pound cornerback appeared in nine games for Seattle last season, posting 15 total tackles with one forced fumble.
Since being chosen by the Eagles in the fourth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Wallace has produced 168 total tackles with two tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Wallace will look to earn a roster spot and push for playing time with a strong training camp and preseason over the next several weeks.
To make room for Wallace on the roster, the Giants waived safety Avery Johnson Jr.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Giants Dealt Disappointing Andrew Thomas Update as Training Camp Opens appeared first on Heavy Sports.