Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas takes the field before a game
Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas takes the field before a game
The Giants got through almost all of Monday’s loss to the Rams before Andrew Thomas went down with a groin injury. The timing could hardly be worse. New York is coming home from Los Angeles on a short week, and its next game against Tennessee is Sunday.
There is no confirmed return timetable for Thomas as of Wednesday morning. It would be careless to call the injury minor or to rule him out. The fact that the Giants have to wait for an update on their left tackle is enough of a concern after a 28-6 game in which their offense already looked unsettled.
Giants tackle Andrew Thomas after joint practice in Miami
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
The Giants cannot afford more uncertainty up front
Jaxson Dart left on the opening drive with a knee injury. Jameis Winston came in and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with an interception. The Rams hit Giants quarterbacks eight times and broke up 10 passes. None of those numbers is a direct measure of Thomas’ value, but they describe the kind of night the offense had even before his late injury.
With Dart’s status under review, the line needs to be the dependable part of this offense. If Thomas cannot practice or play, the coaches have to change the protection plan while also preparing whichever quarterback takes the snaps. The uncertainty at quarterback is already significant.
Thomas was on the injury report with an ankle issue before the Rams game and played. The groin problem is a separate report from Monday night, not evidence that one injury caused the other. The team’s practice updates should make the picture clearer before Sunday.
Sunday could test more than the Giants’ depth chart
Against Tennessee, New York will need a cleaner plan than the one it took out of Los Angeles. Thomas at full strength would help, especially if the quarterback situation remains unsettled. If he is limited, the Giants need to say so through their lineup and protection choices rather than ask the offense to pretend nothing changed.
His practice status will tell us more than a guess about his return date. The Giants need a stable left side again, and Thomas is the player who gives it to them.