Andrew Thomas’ proper foot is in a boot, however neither foot is out the door.
Thomas — one of many Giants’ three finest gamers and a three-time co-captain — expressed confidence Friday that higher days are forward than what have been on show throughout a franchise-record-tying nine-game dropping streak that could possibly be prolonged Sunday towards the Falcons.
“You at all times need to really feel like we’re going to show it round,” Thomas stated in his first interview since struggling a Lisfranc damage to his proper foot on Oct. 13. “In case you have a damaging mindset, you’ll by no means overcome. I’m making an attempt to be as constructive as I can, having this season-ending damage, however I believe we’ve a superb collective group of some younger gamers that may play properly. It’s going to take a while, however I believe we’ll get there.”
Thomas’ well being is among the greatest keys to constructing a sustainable basis. The 2022 Second-Workforce All-Professional is signed to a $117.5 million contract by way of the 2029 season.
Over the previous two seasons, the Giants are 6-10 when Thomas is at left deal with in comparison with 2-13 and when he’s not.
He missed seven video games final season with a hamstring damage and someway gutted by way of greater than 30 performs on an injured foot to complete the sport towards the Bengals initially of this skid.
“It was only a regular down block, and I felt one thing go,” Thomas stated. “I knew one thing was unsuitable.”
The Giants’ personnel shortages run deep on all sides of the ball, however Thomas carries the burden of being the roster’s most irreplaceable participant.
The dearth of including a viable Plan B at left deal with by the entrance workplace and training employees in back-to-back years proved crippling.
“Generally you might have the ‘ought to’ve, may’ve, would’ve,’ however it occurred,” Thomas stated. “I can’t do a lot to alter what occurred. All I can do is attempt to put together for subsequent yr.”
Thomas stated he was informed to anticipate a five-month restoration begin to end, which might put him again on the sector in time for OTAs.
The Giants could be foolish to push the envelope, nonetheless, particularly on condition that foot accidents notoriously can linger with 300-pounders.
“It’s irritating,” Thomas stated. “Clearly, I need to be on the market and assist my workforce. I believe I’m an enormous a part of this workforce, and after I’m not on the market it hurts. I’ve handled foot surgical procedures earlier than. The most important factor is simply not dashing.”
Thomas’ profession has been marred by instability.
He has performed beneath two basic managers, two head coaches and 5 offensive line coaches, alongside a endless carousel of left guards and quarterbacks.
“Once we have been all wholesome, I assumed we have been taking part in higher,” Thomas stated of the offensive line. “I assumed that’s the most effective soccer we’ve performed up entrance shortly, so hopefully subsequent yr we are able to keep wholesome and proceed to construct that continuity.”
It won’t be such a straight line.
Everyone seems to be on the recent seat once more because the Giants (2-12) stumble towards what could possibly be the No. 1 choose within the 2025 NFL Draft.
“I can’t actually put my finger on one precise factor, however watching — and it’s the identical as after I was taking part in — nobody is completely satisfied to lose,” Thomas stated. “We put a whole lot of work into it, and I believe probably the most irritating factor is we’ve items. We’ve gifted gamers on this workforce that may carry out at excessive ranges. Nearly consistency.”
The Giants are final within the league in scoring and 20-yard go performs over the previous two seasons.
“We’ve lengthy, sustaining drives, however on this league it’s onerous to do this persistently,” Thomas stated. “We don’t have sufficient explosive performs, so I might say that’s one factor I might say that we may most likely enhance on. If it doesn’t equal a win, typically it appears like we didn’t enhance in any respect. I might say there’s been enhancements as an offense. And simply coping with what we’ve had so far as totally different quarterbacks taking part in, all of the accidents, I believe the blokes have carried out the most effective they might.”
Thomas just lately returned to workforce conferences after spending the primary a part of his rehab exterior of the ability. He’s getting round on a scooter and is anticipated out of the boot in two weeks.
“He’s diligent, he’s a professional in what he does and he’s a very good participant,” head coach Brian Daboll stated. “That left deal with place — notably when you might have a participant that performs at a excessive stage — is at all times difficult when that man’s out, schematically, on what you could do. So, we’ve missed him. If there’s anybody that may come again from it good … he does every little thing proper.”
