The Giants obtained an enormous increase to their offensive line, as left deal with Andrew Thomas was energetic for his season debut on Sunday night time towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Thomas had described himself as a “gametime decision,” and he was formally listed as questionable going into the Week 3 residence opener at MetLife Stadium.
Sunday’s return marked Thomas’ first time being energetic since Week 6 of final season, when he suffered a Lisfranc tear in his proper foot that required surgical procedure.
“I’m feeling good. Three days in a row practicing, first time doing that,” Thomas, 26, mentioned on Friday. “Starting to build a volume, getting my confidence back. So it’s exciting for sure.”
Thomas, the No. 4 general decide in 2020 and a second-team All-Professional in 2022, is among the many NFL’s finest blindside protectors, however he’s struggled to remain wholesome.
Since signing a five-year, $117.5 million contract extension earlier than the 2023 season, Thomas had missed 20 of a potential 36 video games earlier than Sunday’s. The Giants have been 3-17 within the video games Thomas missed, in comparison with 6-10 with him within the lineup.
“If I’m speaking as a competitor, I wanted to be out there Week 1,” Thomas mentioned. “But the best thing for the team and myself is for me to be 100% out there. I think I can help the team out when I’m at my best. So I’m trying to get back to that.”
Swing deal with James Hudson III began the Giants’ first two video games at left deal with, however he surrendered six pressures in Week 1 earlier than having a historic meltdown in Week 2.
On the Giants’ opening drive in final week’s 40-37 time beyond regulation loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Hudson surrendered a sack and dedicated a whopping 4 penalties. Two of the penalties have been for pointless roughness, together with a swipe at move rusher James Houston that prompted a $12,172 tremendous.
Rookie deal with Marcus Mbow changed Hudson to start out the second drive in Week 2 and in the end performed 76.1% of the snaps, in comparison with Hudson’s 23.9%.
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked 5 occasions within the first two video games of the season.
Thomas’ return was particularly well timed contemplating Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is among the many NFL’s finest at dialing up strain. Spagnuolo is a four-time Tremendous Bowl winner as a DC, together with with the Giants workforce that beat the beforehand undefeated New England Patriots in Tremendous Bowl XLII.
Thomas was one among three Giants gamers listed as questionable going into Sunday’s sport. One of many others, defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (ankle), ended up being inactive, whereas kick returner Gunner Olszewski (again) was energetic.
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) and defensive deal with Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (foot) have been each inactive after being listed as uncertain. Linebacker Darius Muasau (concussion/eye) had already been dominated out forward of Sunday.
Offensive lineman Evan Neal and rookie tight finish Thomas Fidone II have been additionally inactive for the Giants, whereas Jameis Winston was the emergency quarterback.
The Chiefs, in the meantime, have been with out speedy second-year extensive receiver Xavier Worthy, who suffered a dislocated proper shoulder in a collision with teammate Travis Kelce in Week 1. Worthy was dominated out on Saturday and didn’t make the journey to East Rutherford.
Rookie extensive receiver Jalen Royals was energetic for Kansas Metropolis after being listed as questionable.
