Andrew Thomas' game-changing penalty wasn't even the biggest concern coming out of the Giants' loss.
The left star tackle was determined to need further testing in post-game X-rays, and is currently undergoing imaging tests on his foot.
He limped off only to return to the huddle Sunday during the fourth quarter, admitting afterward that he “didn't feel good.”
“We don't know exactly what it is, so we'll see what they say,” Thomas said. “They said we needed an MRI to find out exactly what was going on.”
Thomas allowed two sacks, including one on the Giants' final drive, in the Giants' 17-7 loss to the Bengals.
“I was fighting,” Thomas said.
Thomas underwent two ankle surgeries early in his career and missed seven games last season with a hamstring injury.
Most importantly, he did not play in Week 5 of the 2021 season due to a foot injury.
The Giants have played the same five offensive linemen on every snap this season.
If Thomas is lost, the options are to move right tackle Jermaine Elemunor to the left side and bring in Josh Ezeudu or Evan Neal (two former starters on the bench), or replace him with Thomas. One of the two will be the starter.
Either way, Thomas is one of the most irreplaceable Giants.
And that's even after his lackluster game Sunday, which included an illegal downfield penalty that nullified a 56-yard clearance to Darius Slayton.
Thomas said of his performance, “It wasn't good enough.” “It was R.P.O. [run-pass option]. A similar play was made last week, but it wasn't called. Sometimes it's just 50/50. ”
