The one player the Giants desperately needed and needed to be on the field more than anyone else this season is done.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas underwent surgery Wednesday morning to repair a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot.
The surgery took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was performed by renowned podiatrist Dr. Robert Anderson. This is expected to end Thomas' season after six games.
The Post on Tuesday first reported that Thomas suffered a serious foot injury in Sunday night's 17-7 loss to the Bengals and that a Lisfranc injury may be suspected.
It's devastating for the Giants.
Thomas, 25, is considered the best offensive lineman ever and a franchise building block.
He is signed through the 2029 season after signing a five-year extension worth $117.5 million.
Since getting that contract, Thomas has had trouble staying on the field. He missed seven games early last season with a hamstring strain and is expected to miss the final 11 games of this season.
Although no replacements have been confirmed on the roster, the Giants (2-4) will prepare for Sunday's game against the Eagles (3-2) at MetLife Stadium at left tackle, the most important position on the offensive line. You'll need to put someone in there.
One option is to use third-year forward Josh Ezeudu as left tackle, but Ezeudu didn't play a prominent role as a replacement last season.
Veteran Jermaine Elemunor, 29, in his first season with the Giants, is the starting right tackle but has career experience on the left side. He could move to left tackle, with Ezeudu or Forgotten Man Evan Neal potentially at right tackle.
Neal was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but has fallen short so far. He has returned from offseason ankle surgery and has played in all six games this season, but has never stepped foot on the field.
Ezeudu has played three snaps on offense this season, all as an extra blocker. The five-man offensive line was durable and intact all season, playing all 419 snaps on offense.
Thomas was injured during a 16-play touchdown drive in the third quarter of the loss to the Bengals. After that game, Thomas said his leg “didn't feel very good” and “hurt.”
Last season, Thomas injured his hamstring in the opening game and missed the next seven games, turning an already questionable offensive line into a historically bad team.
The Giants upgraded their line in 2024, signing El Emunor, Jon Runyan Jr., and Greg Van Roten. But Thomas was always the central figure, and now he's gone.
