The Giants received a big boost to their offensive line, as left tackle Andrew Thomas was active for his season debut on Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thomas had described himself as a “gametime decision,” and he was officially listed as questionable going into the Week 3 home opener at MetLife Stadium.
Sunday’s return marked Thomas’ first time being active since Week 6 of last season, when he suffered a Lisfranc tear in his right foot that required surgery.
“I’m feeling good. Three days in a row practicing, first time doing that,” Thomas, 26, said on Friday. “Starting to build a volume, getting my confidence back. So it’s exciting for sure.”
Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick in 2020 and a second-team All-Pro in 2022, is among the NFL’s best blindside protectors, but he’s struggled to stay healthy.
Since signing a five-year, $117.5 million contract extension before the 2023 season, Thomas had missed 20 of a possible 36 games before Sunday’s. The Giants were 3-17 in the games Thomas missed, compared to 6-10 with him in the lineup.
“If I’m speaking as a competitor, I wanted to be out there Week 1,” Thomas said. “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 tackle James Hudson III started the Giants’ first two games at left tackle, but he surrendered six pressures in Week 1 before having a historic meltdown in Week 2.
On the Giants’ opening drive in last week’s 40-37 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Hudson surrendered a sack and committed a whopping four penalties. Two of the penalties were for unnecessary roughness, including a swipe at pass rusher James Houston that prompted a $12,172 fine.
Rookie tackle Marcus Mbow replaced Hudson to start the second drive in Week 2 and ultimately played 76.1% of the snaps, compared to Hudson’s 23.9%.
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked five times in the first two games of the season.
Thomas’ return was especially timely considering Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is among the NFL’s best at dialing up pressure. Spagnuolo is a four-time Super Bowl winner as a DC, including with the Giants team that beat the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Thomas was one of three Giants players listed as questionable going into Sunday’s game. One of the others, defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (ankle), ended up being inactive, while kick returner Gunner Olszewski (back) was active.
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) and defensive tackle Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (foot) were both inactive after being listed as doubtful. Linebacker Darius Muasau (concussion/eye) had already been ruled out ahead of Sunday.
Offensive lineman Evan Neal and rookie tight end Thomas Fidone II were also inactive for the Giants, while Jameis Winston was the emergency quarterback.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, were without speedy second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who suffered a dislocated right shoulder in a collision with teammate Travis Kelce in Week 1. Worthy was ruled out on Saturday and did not make the trip to East Rutherford.
Rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals was active for Kansas City after being listed as questionable.
