Add The New York Post on Google MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — He is so important to the team and has such a troubling injury history that whenever it looks as if Andrew Thomas tweaks something it is cause for great alarm.
The Giants know what life is like with him and without him and are well aware which scenario is more conducive to winning football games.
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And so, when something seems amiss with Thomas, the Giants hold their collective breaths. That anxiety kicked in during Thursday’s joint practice with the Dolphins, when something seemed wrong with one of Thomas’ feet. It is impossible to forget Thomas going down in mid-October 2024 to a significant Lisfranc foot injury that ended that season for him.
Thomas said he is “not a huge fan’’ of the new cleats made for offensive linemen and so he continues to wear an older style. The problem with that is the glue in the old shoes has a tendency to wear out. That’s what happened when he tried to take on a bull rush from a Dolphins pass rusher and the bottom plate of his shoe came off. That is why he looked off-kilter.
“No injuries,’’ he said. “I’m good.’’
Andrew Thomas (78) looks on during Giants practice at Quest Diagnostic Center on Aug. 18, 2026. Corey Sipkin for New York Post Thomas is taking part in everything, a departure from his past summers, when physical issues limited his involvement. The Giants know how valuable he is, though, and treat him as if he is irreplaceable — which, in fact, he is.
Thomas was the only healthy starting offensive lineman held out of the preseason-opening loss to the Vikings and it would be no great surprise if Thomas plays sparingly, or not at all, in Saturday’s game against the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Thomas has come to realize he is not required to take every snap this time of year.
“I used to think that I needed every single preseason rep, and then last year I didn’t do any of the camp and I thought I played just fine,’’ Thomas said.
There is nothing Thomas has to prove to new head coach John Harbaugh, who is already a big fan of the Giants’ 2020 first-round draft pick.
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“If he says I’m out there, I’m out there,’’ Thomas said. “If he says I’m not, then I’m taking care of my body and trying to help the guys out there.’’
It looks as if the Giants actually can feel good about their depth along the offensive line. Rookie J.C. Davis, a sixth-round pick from Illinois, has been solid as the backup left tackle. Marcus Mbow is an ascending player at right tackle. Bryan Hudson was impressive filling in at center when John Michael Schmitz was in concussion protocol. With Aaron Stinnie, Jake Kubas and possibly Evan Neal and Josh Ezeudu, the Giants might possess quality backups at the guard position.
The one player they cannot be without once the games count is Thomas.
