The early-week optimism surrounding the availability of Giants offensive lineman Andrew Thomas has taken a discouraging downturn.
Thomas was held out of practice on Friday, putting his return to the lineup for the first time since Week 1 in Monday night’s home game against the Seahawks in question.
The $117.5 million left tackle had missed the Giants’ previous two games with a hamstring injury he suffered in the season opener against the Cowboys, but Thomas had said as recently as Tuesday that he believed he had a “good” chance to reclaim his starting spot this week.
“We’re just going to let him rehab with the trainers,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said before practice. “I think it’s the right thing to do. Let’s give it a couple days here and we’ll see where we’re at.”
Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 draft, had practiced on a limited basis on Thursday, but Daboll sidestepped the question when asked if Thomas suffered a setback with his hamstring.
If Thomas is inactive for a third straight game, Joshua Ezeudu would start again at left tackle in what could be the Giants’ fourth starting configuration on their makeshift offensive line in as many weeks.
Daboll had said last week that he considers the versatile Ezeudu as a capable fill-in at four spots on the line, excluding center.
“Any way I can help the team, I will. I’ve been moving across the line ever since college [at North Carolina], so it’s not new to me,” Ezeudu said. “I’m happy that the coaching staff feels that way about me and let me have this opportunity.”
Still, the offensive line is ranked last overall in the NFL through three games by Pro Football Focus.
The Giants (1-2) are 28th in the NFL in yardage allowed at 253.3 per game and passing yardage (165.3), while tying for the fourth-most sacks allowed with 12.
Though Thomas’ availability for Monday remains uncertain, Ben Bredeson at least has been cleared from concussion protocol and likely will reclaim his starting spot at left guard.
Shane Lemieux manned that spot last Thursday against the 49ers, with rookie John Michael Schmitz at center, Marcus McKethan at right guard and Evan Neal at right tackle.
Former starter Mark Glowinski, in the second season of a three-year deal worth $20 million, essentially is out of the rotation, especially with Bredeson slated to return.
Bredeson noted the concussion he suffered in a Week 2 win over the Cardinals was the first of his career.
“I feel good, back to normal. We made some good progress being responsible and taking the right steps,” Bredeson said. “I feel ready. Obviously, it’s not an ideal situation, but the protocol is there for a reason.
“Obviously, the more reps you have together, the easier it is to gel. But that’s the reason we practice so many offensive line combinations. … Injuries happen, people miss games for various reasons and you have to be able to adjust.”
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