The New York Giants should soon be getting a huge boost to their offense. Left tackle Andrew Thomas has been designated to return to practice. Thomas was placed on injured reserve on October 19 following the Giants’ blowout Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Andrew Thomas has been dealing with injuries nearly all season. He missed the Giants’ Week 5 matchup with a left foot injury, returned in Week 6, then got injured again and was placed on injured reserve. To say that the Giants have felt Andrew Thomas’s absence over the past three games is an understatement.
The Giants designating Andrew Thomas to return to practice gives them a 21-day window to activate him off injured reserve. So, while Thomas could technically play this week, it still does not seem likely he does suit up on Monday. In all likelihood, Andrew Thomas will ease into practice this week with his eyes set on a return next Sunday versus the Eagles.
Getting Andrew Thomas back in the starting lineup will be a huge boost to the Giants’ offense. Thomas is one of the Giants’ most important players.
How important is Andrew Thomas?
The New York Giants offense has not been the same without second-year left tackle Andrew Thomas. The Giants’ 2020 first-round pick was having a breakout sophomore season before suffering injuries that placed him on injured reserve.
Andrew Thomas in 2021:
- 293 snaps
- 2 penalties
- 0 sacks
- 7 pressures allowed
- 5 games played
The greatest part of Andrew Thomas’s breakout was that it became the catalyst to Daniel Jones’s breakout season. Daniel Jones was playing at a high level while Andrew Thomas protected his blindside. Since Thomas has gone down, Jones’s production has faltered.
- Daniel Jones passing yards per game WITH Andrew Thomas at left tackle: 285.2
- Daniel Jones passing yards per game WITHOUT Andrew Thomas at left tackle: 158.25
Once Andrew Thomas returns to the lineup, the Giants’ passing attack should be far more productive. Thomas provides security and stability on Daniel Jones’s blindside. Having a great pass-protecting left tackle also allows Jason Garrett to call more deep passing plays. Expect to see some major improvements to the New York Giants’ passing offense once Andrew Thomas re-enters the starting lineup.