Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) against Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: NFC Divisional Round-New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
(East Rutherford, NJ) – Things couldn’t have gone much worse for the New York Giants during their 40-0 shellacking at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday night.
And, in keeping with that theme, left tackle Andrew Thomas didn’t practice Wednesday after injuring his hamstring early on during the week 1 loss. If he can’t go this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals, it’ll make a bounce-back victory that much harder. But the bigger concern is that this hamstring issue could sideline Thomas for an extended period of time – or serve as a nagging injury all season long.
After an up and down rookie season, Thomas cemented himself as the Giants best offensive lineman last year. Which is key given the all-important LT position in an increasingly pass-driven league. Thomas, a first round pick out of the University of Georgia, represents a successful draft story amid the team’s ongoing rebuild.
Plus, as evidenced during the week 1 blowout loss, Thomas is one of the Giants’ rare effective lineman. Rookie Evan Neal continues to struggle, and veteran guard Mark Glowinski may have (somehow) been worse on Sunday.
So this is a tenuous time in which the Giants must choose wisely. Certainly, falling to 0-2 (against a rebuilding Cardinals team) would be a disaster. It might mean the rest of the season sliding off the rails. But the Giants also can’t afford to take a risk by playing Thomas, should it mean losing him for an extended period.
Head coach Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen will likely lose some sleep pondering the decision. And that’s after Daboll admitted he didn’t get much shuteye of any kind, after the SNF debacle.
