Replacing New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas is proving challenging, with the team now focused on damage control. The protection of quarterback Daniel Jones and the offense’s effectiveness are in jeopardy. Initially, there was talk of shifting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to the left, but facing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt disrupted those plans. The Giants are now concentrating on second-string options, including left tackles Josh Ezeudu and Chris Hubbard and backup right tackle Evan Neal. Ezeudu started in Thomas’ place in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles, a game that ended in a 28-3 loss. His preseason struggles continued, as Jones was sacked seven times and backup Drew Lock added another, stifling the offense.
Head coach Brian Daboll discussed the left tackle competition before Week 8. “We’re making the decision after practice,” Daboll noted. “We’ve let those guys split reps, and we’ll continue doing that.” While Ezeudu initially worked with the starters, his difficulties have allowed Hubbard, recently signed from the 49ers’ practice squad, a chance to compete for the role against Pittsburgh’s strong pass rush. “We think Chris was a good addition,” Daboll said. “Both guys have been competing well, and we’ll choose what’s best for this game.”
Adding to the complexity, Eluemunor was briefly listed with a hip injury, potentially leaving Neal as the fill-in. Daboll acknowledged Neal’s challenging task if he has to face Watt, saying, “It’s a tough matchup, but he’s done everything to prepare.” Fortunately, Eluemunor confirmed his availability on Twitter, providing a critical boost for New York against one of the league’s top pass rushers. His performance could be pivotal for the Giants’ hopes in Week 8.
Leave a Reply