This year’s New York Giants have been a mess along the offensive line all season. Injuries and underperformance have earned this group a few labels that aren’t pretty. Well, Andrew Thomas, John Michael Schmitz Jr., and Matt Peart have already been ruled out for Sunday Night Football, so they won’t help flip the narrative this week. Evan Neal and Shane Lemieux are questionable for the contest.
Giants’ injury report for Sunday night. Waller has insisted he’s fine all week, so surprised to see him listed as questionable pic.twitter.com/ee1ow53aKu
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) October 13, 2023
Missing three linemen is always going to be a mess, especially when two of them are Week 1 starters. Potentially missing five, when another one of those players is also a starter, is a disastrous scenario. New York has faced plenty of obstacles up front already, but the hurdles continue piling up in front of them.
Who is Still Healthy Along the Giants Line?
So, All-Pro Andrew Thomas isn’t suiting up, nor is backup tackle Matt Peart. That leaves Joshua Ezeudu in line for another start on the blindside. Ben Bredeson, normally a guard, will likely slide into the starting center spot for John Michael Schmitz Jr. again.
Last week’s starters at the guard spots were Marcus McKethan and Mark Glowinski, two of the few Giants without an injury designation. Evan Neal is questionable, but will probably start at right tackle again. If Shane Lemieux is active, he’ll be key as an emergency center or guard. Then there’s Justin Pugh, who is back in blue and ready to chip in wherever necessary at this point. New York is thin as far as options but should have enough bodies to survive the night.
Giants Offensive Line Has a Tough Assignment in Week 6
On Sunday night, the Giants will be tasked with slowing down a Buffalo Bills defense that has a league-leading 21 sacks. Meanwhile, the Giants have allowed more sacks than any other NFL team this season, 30. To say that this week’s primetime battle will be a grind is a modest statement. This is a rough game for New York to be vulnerable in the trenches.
That’s without mentioning Big Blue’s other key injuries, such as Daniel Jones, Azeez Ojulari, and Saquon Barkley’s questionable status after missing the past three games. Against the Bills, who are one of the NFL’s best teams, it’s going to be an uphill battle. With whoever is available, New York’s organization should still expect everyone to bring their best.
"Pretty good injury, so I'm just trying to work through it"
Andrew Thomas, who will not play on Sunday, talks about how he feels his injury is healing up: pic.twitter.com/dk9WEIoSBJ
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 13, 2023