The Giants’ offensive line seems to be getting more comfortable with the uncomfortable.
The fifth and sixth different starting combinations of the season have blocked for 238 rushing yards while allowing seven sacks of Tyrod Taylor over the last two games — a 14-9 loss to the Bills, followed by Sunday’s 14-7 win against the Commanders.
Seven sacks over two games is a modest improvement from when the bar was on the ground during three games earlier this season with at least six allowed.
“I think we took a great step forward in the past week,” center Ben Bredeson said. “When we don’t have a whole lot of time to jell together — like a full training camp or OTAs — we have to over-communicate.”
Left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) is close to returning from a six-game absence, which would allow Justin Pugh and Mark Glowinski to move back to their natural positions of left guard and right guard, respectively.
Tyre Phillips, who was signed last week off the Eagles practice squad, held his own at right tackle in place of Evan Neal (ankle).
“We’re just doing our jobs,” Pugh said. “I’m just proud of the guys that have gone out there and battled for each other — that’s all this is.”
The Giants started their final possession Sunday at their own 7-yard line with 56 seconds remaining and two timeouts for the Commanders.
Head coach Brian Daboll revealed Monday that his plan was to call three kneel-downs and then run out the final seven-ish seconds by taking an intentional safety.
But defensive tackle DaRon Payne was injured on third down, which led to a 10-second runoff because the Commanders were out of timeouts.
The clock adjustment meant the Giants didn’t have to snap on fourth down.
Daboll offered no injury updates, including on quarterback Daniel Jones (neck), and deferred to Wednesday’s mandated participation report.
Defensive tackle Leonard Williams credited his block of a 27-yard field goal to special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey for “doing good job of showing us where the holes are” and fellow defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches for opening a path.
“I could just tell by the way he was screwing his cleats in that he was ready to get off the ball,” Williams said, “and I think he did a great job of driving. And it allowed me to use that drive to get a little bit of penetration and get my hand up.”
RB Jashaun Corbin reportedly is expected to sign to the active roster to provide insurance with injuries to Eric Gray and fellow backup Gary Brightwell.
Corbin was cut after Giants training camp and spent the beginning of the season on the Panthers practice squad.
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