Giants Lost More Than a Game on Sunday
As tough as the loss to a beatable Bengals team was this past Sunday night (17-7), the loss of the Giants’ best offensive lineman, LT Andrew Thomas, hurts much more.
Thomas underwent season-ending Lisfranc foot surgery Wednesday morning. Per Head Coach Brian Daboll, the surgery was successful, and Thomas is expected back for the 2025 offseason program.
A Lisfranc operation is a surgical procedure that repairs broken or dislocated bones in the midfoot or middle part of the foot. The goal of the surgery is to realign the bones and joints and restore stability to the foot.
Losing a player of Thomas’ caliber could easily demoralize the fan base.
But this is a vastly improved offensive line with untested veteran depth.
Next Man Up
PHOTO: Kevin Wexler-NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK/Imagn Images
The Giants’ offensive line starters have played 100 percent of the snaps this year. That is about to change with Thomas’ season now over. Daboll said that the Giants will begin the practice week today with third-year player Josh Ezeudu at left tackle.
The Giants have some options.
Jermaine Eluemunor, the current right tackle, has significant experience playing left tackle. Of course, the Giants drafted tackle Evan Neal two years ago. Neal has struggled to adjust to the pro game and ultimately lost his starting right tackle job to Eluemunor this year.
Daboll said the staff will see how the practices go this week before he and the coaches decide if any further adjustments are needed. He was also quick to praise the improvement of his backup and young offensive linemen.
In Carmen, We Trust
Fans and opponents have seen a lot of positive progress regarding the Giants’ O-line this season. The veterans brought in for this season have not only paid dividends in reducing the number of QB sacks and pressures but also provided significant depth for reasons such as this. It’s “next man up” time.
Offensive line coaches Carmen Bricillo and James Ferentz have received increasing accolades for the marked improvement of the O-line. If they believe Ezeudu is the next left tackle, give him a shot. But Jermaine, be ready to move.
Up Next
The Giants host their intra-division opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles and Saquon Barkley, on Sunday. While losing Thomas will be a blow, the Giants still have one of the top defensive fronts in the NFL. This Eagles team is beatable. The key will be the Giants’ ability to put up points, maybe even score a couple of passing touchdowns against the Eagles’ defense.
The good news is that WR Malik Nabers appears to have recovered from his concussion three games ago. The Giants’ passing game suffered without him last week. Daniel Jones needs to look off his receivers instead of locking in on them. Opponents’ defensive backs have stated multiple times this season that they are easily reading DJ’s eyes when making a play.
The NFC East Division is still wide open for any team to take part.
Despite the Giants’ 2-4 record, they are only two games back from the Commanders with four division games remaining.
Let’s hope the Giants can put it all together in all three game phases and rack up some wins.
Fans are tired of thinking the season is over before October ends.
It’s weird, but I feel good about the Giants’ chances this Sunday.
PHOTO: Kevin Wexler-NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK/Imagn Images
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