Andrew Thomas stuck to the plan.
The Giants’ star left tackle played 26 snaps in Sunday night’s 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, adhering to a lightened workload in his long-awaited return from foot surgery.
Thomas said he felt good physically after his first game action in nearly a year.
“It felt great,” Thomas said. “I missed football. I had fun out there. Obviously, would have loved to get the win, but it’s progress.”
Thomas played the Giants’ first 26 offensive snaps before giving way to rookie tackle Marcus Mbow, who came in for the Giants’ final drive of the second quarter and played the remainder of the game.
The Giants were targeting 25 snaps for Thomas, according to head coach Brian Daboll.
“That was just the game plan,” Thomas said. “Just see how I respond, and hopefully that continues to build through the next few weeks.”
Sunday’s game was Thomas’ first since he suffered a Lisfranc tear in his right foot in Week 6 of last season.
Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick in 2020 and a second-team All-Pro in 2022, is among the NFL’s best blindside protectors, but he’s struggled to stay healthy in recent years.
Since signing a five-year, $117.5 million contract extension before the 2023 season, Thomas has missed 20 of a possible 37 games. The Giants went 3-17 in the games Thomas missed, compared to 6-11 with him in the lineup.
James Hudson III started the Giants’ first two games at left tackle, but he gave up six pressures in Week 1, then surrendered a sack and committed a whopping four penalties on the opening drive in last week’s 40-37 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Mbow replaced Hudson on the Giants’ second drive in that game.
Asked if he was on track for a full game in Week 4, Thomas was non-committal.
“I won’t make any predictions,” Thomas said. “We’ll see how it responds tomorrow, and we’ll talk about the plan.”
TRACY INJURED
Tyrone Tracy hurt his shoulder in the first quarter Sunday and did not return, but he believes he avoided a serious injury.
The second-year running back was in visible pain after colliding with Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill and cornerback Jaylen Watson near the sideline after a three-yard reception with 1:34 left in the quarter.
Tracy tapped his right shoulder before receiving medical attention near the Chiefs’ bench.
“I feel good,” Tracy said afterward. “I mean, it’s sore, but I feel good. I told them I could go back in, but it’s a long season.”
Tracy started Sunday’s game and touched the ball on the Giants’ first five plays. He finished with 29 yards on seven carries and two receptions for another seven yards.
“Further imaging will let us know [the severity],” Tracy said.
Tracy’s absence led to an increased workload for fourth-round rookie Cam Skattebo, who rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries and led the Giants with six receptions for 61 yards.
Skattebo also played more than Tracy against the Cowboys last week, out-snapping him 35 to 28.
ABDUL PLAYS OFF THE BALL
Rookie pass rusher Abdul Carter started Sunday’s game at off-ball linebacker next to Bobby Okereke and played there on first and second downs, only switching to the defensive line as a pass rusher on third down.
This marked a big change in Carter’s usage from Weeks 1 and 2. He logged only five of 33 snaps (15%) at linebacker in Week 1 at the Commanders and eight of 67 snaps (11%) off the ball in Week 2 at Dallas.
But injuries to several inside linebackers, including Micah McFadden, Chris Board and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowler, created a need for a playmaker in the middle. And Daboll and Shane Bowen are consistently searching for new ways to keep the dynamic rookie on the field to make a maximum impact.
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