Andrew Thomas (foot) underwent season-ending surgery

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – “You can't replace an Andrew Thomas.”

Brian Double made this statement about the Giants' most talented and important offensive lineman in his press conference today. But for the second year in a row, the Giants will have to do just that.

The double announced that Thomas — the Giants' five-year left tackle, three-time captain and 2022 second-team All-Pro — will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to Lisfranc's injury Sunday night. He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the team's 17–7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Although he finished the game, Thomas was clearly in pain. He underwent surgery this morning and was placed on injured reserve this afternoon, leaving a roster spot for the Giants to fill.

The doubles won't decide on Thomas' replacement for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles until after their three-day practice on Friday. The Eagles will also be without their left tackle after Jordan Mailata suffered a hamstring injury in the win over Cleveland. Double said Josh Ezewudu will line up at left tackle and Jermaine Elumunor will be at right tackle today. Evan Neal, who has yet to play a snap this season, will primarily work at right tackle, though it's unclear if he'll get first-team reps.

“You don't make any excuses,” said Double. “Injuries happen and that's why everybody's on this team. We talked about that two weeks ago when (Darius) Slayton had a very productive game against Seattle (when Malik Navars was sidelined). Or Aziz (Ozulari) did some nice things for Kayvon. . Thibodaux) They are all working to improve so, when they get their chance they do as well as they can and believe in their fundamentals, their techniques so they work so hard and attend meetings and get reps, because You have to develop those guys who are backups all season because inevitably, you're going to get some kind of injury, no matter who it is.”

Last season, Thomas suffered a hamstring injury in the season opener and missed the next seven games. The Giants were 2-5 in those games and averaged 13.6 points. After a 31-point outburst in a win over Arizona in their first game without Thomas, the Giants averaged 10.7 points over the next six games. They gave up 34 sacks while Thomas was sidelined. The Giants have allowed just 14 sacks in six games this season.

Ejiudu, now a third-year pro, started the first five games for Thomas before suffering a season-ending toe injury. Justin Pugh started twice at left tackle before Thomas returned. Ilumunor has seven of his 51 career starts at left tackle, including two with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. Elumunor has played exclusively right tackle this season.

“You can't replace an Andrew Thomas. I feel terrible for him. I got to text him today. He had surgery this morning, everything went well. He's a leader, he's a captain, he's great in the locker room, he's a (Very good football player. So, we've had six weeks here for player development, where Evan was, I mean, mostly right tackle.) If anything happens with Jermaine, once that happens, we'll be this week and eventually after Friday. Do some work, practice, we'll make our decision on how we're going to go with it.”

The Giants have enjoyed rare — for them — consistency on the offensive line this season. Each of the five starters played 419 offensive snaps. The Giants are one of only six teams to start the same five linemen every game. The others are Jacksonville, Buffalo, Green Bay, San Francisco and Minnesota. In addition to Thomas and Ilumuno, the Giants have starting center John Michael Schmitz and guards John Runyan, Jr. and Greg Van Roten.

“I think it's the next guy and this group played well this year,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “I think obviously losing Andrew is a tough blow. He's a tremendous player, a tremendous leader for us. But I'm confident the guys will step up and I think more than anything, it's about the group playing well together, communicating, Getting on the same page and helping each other out and so far they've done a good job with it.”

Double was asked about possibly moving Elumunor to left and plugging in Ezewudu or Neal at right tackle. But that would require two position changes and inserting Ezewudu at left tackle would be one.

“We talked about it,” Double said. “Jermain will start today on the right side. We'll put Ejiudu here on the left side. Then we'll rotate guys throughout the week. Anyway, we'll give the most reps, however it's arranged. Early in practice, Thursday and then finally Friday.”

“We'll do what we think is best. I think it's always easier to replace just one person, but you want to make sure you're doing what's right for the team because the line, they're doing a great job. Five of the guys that played I know they're Didn't get much going into the game, but they did a really good job with Andrew, but the next person has to step up.”

The first player to do so in practice was Ezewudu, who believes he is better equipped to handle the job than last season, saying he is “stronger, more confident and more technical. … I'm very ready, even if I don't like it, because AT (injured) he has taught me a lot in terms of tackling, but I am very ready if the opportunity comes.”

In 2018 with Buffalo, 2020 with New England and last year with the Raiders, Illumino moved to the left when asked. He's willing to do it again if necessary, but doesn't think he'll need to.

“If I have to, I'll do it,” he said. “But I believe in EZ (Ezeudu) and I like to play right tackle. But I think we have players here to help lighten the load. And the Dabs are able to adjust some things to make it easier for certain guys. There and Let him go.”

Neal played in just seven games last season with an ankle injury that eventually required surgery and began training camp on the physically unable to perform list. He is now fully healthy but joins backup quarterback Drew Lock as the only players on the roster who have yet to play this season.

“This is definitely my first time experiencing this,” Neal said. “But I try to learn from every situation I'm in, whether it's positive or negative. I look at the situation I'm in and obviously it's not ideal for me, because I want to play, but I'm asked to do it now and I accept this role. And I'm going to go out there and practice and keep pushing my teammates every day and work hard.”

Left tackle John Runyan, Jr. lined up next to Thomas for each of those 419 plays. Like the rest of his linemates, he is sad to see his teammate walk away but determined to move on.

“It's tough,” Runyan said. “Great player, great person. He's a lot of our offense. He's an important part of what's going on around here and (we're) going to miss him. He's a guy you can't really replace. Hate to see him go but the season is stopping. No it's the next man and I got a lot of confidence from those who are going to go out there and do the work.”