Left tackle Andrew Thomas headlines a list of five players ruled out on Friday by the New York Giants for their NFL Week 17 game on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Thomas, the Giants’ star left tackle, suffered a hamstring injury in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Also out for the Giants are:
- S Tyler Nubin | Neck
- WR Beaux Collins | Neck/Concussion
- DT D.J. Davidson | Neck/Concussion
- OL Evan Neal | Neck
Starting center John Michael Schmitz (finger) is listed as doubtful.
With Thomas out, rookie Marcus Mbow will make his second career start at left tackle. The fifth-round pick has played 185 offensive snaps this season at left and right tackle. He has a Pro Football Focus grade of 56.1 (77.4 as a run blocker, but just 42.8 as a pass blocker) with a pass-blocking efficiency score of 92.9.
“He’s [Mbow] had a couple starts already and he’s done a really nice job,” said interim head coach Mike Kafka. “And just stepping in, he’s always dialed into his opportunities and the game plan. So, I expect nothing different if he has to step up.”
When the Giants selected Mbow in the draft, it was thought that he might eventually have five-position versatility on the offensive line. The Giants, to this point, have worked him exclusively at tackle.
Could Mbow eventually be a guard?
“Maybe,” said offensive coordinator Tim Kelly.
“Right now, we’re focusing on making sure we’re getting him ready to go and play tackle,” Kelly said. “So, we don’t have a ton of time to be able to kind of go and put him in the laboratory, if you will.”
Kafka said the Giants see Mbow as a tackle.
“I think the vision for him was always to be a tackle, but he has the athletic ability to kind of do both,” Kafka said.
If Schmitz can’t play, the Giants would be without two offensive line starters. Veteran Austin Schlottmann would fill in for Schmitz.
Nubin will be missing his third game of the season.
Giants-Raiders final injury report
Giants
Out
- S Tyler Nubin | Neck
- WR Beaux Collins | Neck/Concussion
- DT D.J. Davidson | Neck/Concussion
- OL Evan Neal | Neck
- OT Andrew Thomas | Hamstring
Doubtful
- John Michael Schmitz | Finger
Questionable
- OL Joshua Ezeudu | Calf
- CB Cor’Dale Flott | Knee
- DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches | Ankle/Toe
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