Giants’ Joshua Ezeudu has first crack to replace Andrew Thomas

With All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas out for the season after undergoing surgery Wednesday morning to repair a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot, the New York Giants must now attempt to backfill the gaping holes left behind.

On Wednesday morning, head coach Brian Daboll gave reporters a glimpse of what the team’s collective thinking on the subject might be, and it wasn’t what many had expected.

Daboll said that former third-round pick Joshua Ezeudu would take the first team snaps at left tackle at practice with Jermaine Eluemunor staying on the right side and Evan Neal remaining on the sideline.

“Well, you can’t replace an Andrew Thomas. I feel terrible for him. I was able to text with him today. He had his surgery this morning, everything was successful. He’s a leader, he’s a captain, he’s great in the locker room, he’s a very good football player. So, that’s what the development of players is all about. We’ve had six weeks here in the regular season where Evan (Neal) has taken, I’d say, the majority of right tackle snaps in case something happened to Jermaine (Eluemunor). Ezeudu has taken left tackle snaps. But then, once this happens, you have discussions about how you want to approach it. We’ll do a few things here this week and then ultimately after Friday’s practice, we’ll make our decision on how we’re going to go with that.”

Daboll also said no decision would be made on the lineup until Friday but it looks as if Ezeudu — who has been shaky at times but is said to be much improved — will get first dibs at left tackle.

#Giants100 Daboll – Ezeudu is athletic with good feet…excellent at practice…improved technique…right attitude…good teammate…he’ll have a chance show it the next few days before the decision is made

— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) October 16, 2024

If Ezeudu doesn’t pass the test, the Giants will likely go with the plan most believed was the most logical — move Eluemunor to left tackle and fill in the right side with Neal.