Giants’ OL already decimated by injury, could this spell trouble?

New York Giants, Shane Lemeiux
Sep 3, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants guard Shane Lemieux (66) during the Blue-White Scrimmage at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants are dealing with a myriad of injuries on their offensive line. Starting left guard Shane Lemieux and starting center Jon Feliciano are both dealing with injuries. To make matters worse, a number of backup linemen are also sitting out of practice. The Giants’ offensive line is already decimated by injury, a development that could create trouble for the squad this season.

Giants offensive line injuries

The Giants have already ruled out six offensive linemen for Sunday’s preseason matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. The offensive linemen ruled out are:

  • Shane Lemieux (starter)
  • Jon Feliciano (starter)
  • Joshua Ezeudu (second-team)
  • Ben Bredeson (second-team)
  • Jamil Douglas (second-team)
  • Garrett McGhin

It is notable that two of the injured Giants are starters and another three of them have seen significant playing time with the second-team this offseason. The Giants will be playing with whatever healthy starters they have for the beginning of Sunday’s game, then having a bunch of third-string linemen takeover. If these first and second-team guys are not healthy for the regular season, the New York Giants will be in danger.

Adding depth to the offensive line

This offseason, the Giants added a number of backup offensive linemen to their roster, including Matt Gono. Unfortunately, Gono left the team due to medical reasons and could see his NFL career come to a close. Gono was meant to be the team’s swing tackle, meaning a new position must be filled before the start of the regular season.

The Giants recently acquired two new offensive linemen to respond to the slew of injuries they are forced to endure. General manager Joe Schoen brought in Chris Owens, an undrafted rookie out of Alabama who the Steelers recently cut. He also signed Josh Rivas, a player that the Giants waived on August 14 before the most recent run of injuries piled up.