The New York Giants' offensive line has been a recurring horror show the last two seasons (and that's being kind, limiting it to two), and nobody’s been spared. Not Daniel Jones. Not Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock. Not Jermaine Eluemunor holding down the fort better than anyone expected. But one player’s absence has always loomed largest — and he finally suited up in full pads again Wednesday.
Giants beat reporter Evan Barnes shared that Andrew Thomas is back on the practice field. And not just going through the motions or walkthroughs. He's in full pads. And that's incredible news.
Giants going full pads at practice today. Brian Daboll said LT Andrew Thomas is continuing to improve and get better. TE Theo Johnson is “good to go”
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) September 3, 2025
As for Jaxson Dart moving up to QB2 on the unofficial depth chart, Daboll said “all 3 QBs are going to be ready to play”
This doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to play Week 1. But it does mean the G-Men may not have to start James Hudson III on Russell Wilson’s blind side against recently-acquired Von Miller and an experienced Commanders pass rush. That alone makes this a borderline religious moment for Giants fans.
Andrew Thomas trending in right direction after Lisfranc injury
It’s been almost a year since Thomas last played a full-speed NFL snap. A Lisfranc fracture in October 2024 ended his season after just six games and triggered a lengthy recovery process that included two surgeries, a trip to the PUP list, and a summer full of “maybe” updates.
But Wednesday’s update was different. Head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that everyone would be on the field during practice, including Thomas, and that the 26-year-old left tackle is improving daily. That’s about as far as Dabs ever goes to reveal information. In Giants-speak, this is the equivalent of fireworks.
And that’s huge for Week 1, even if the Commanders’ current edge duo of Dorance Armstrong and Deatrich Wise Jr. isn’t exactly terrifying. A Dan Quinn-led Washington defense still mixes things up enough schematically to cause problems if protection breaks down. Getting Thomas back at least gives Big Blue a fighting chance to keep things clean and let Wilson settle in.
Thomas hasn’t committed to playing yet, and frankly, nobody should expect him to. He isn't the kind of talent you want to rush back. It’s been described as sore-but-manageable, which is exactly the sort of thing that never goes away if you try to force it. He’s smart not to. So are the Giants. Regardless, this is a huge win for Big Blue. Fingers crossed he's healthy and ready to go full-throttle for 2025.
His health might just be the difference between surprise playoff darling and another 3-14 season.