Giants Restructure Andrew Thomas’ Deal
MAY 30: The Giants in fact completed a maximum restructure of Thomas’ contract, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. His base salary has been reduced to the veteran minimum of $1.215MM with a new total of $11MM of additional cap space. $3.67MM has been added to Thomas’ cap hits from 2027 through 2029, which all sit between $29.5MM and $30MM – still a reasonable price for an elite left tackle, though Thomas will have to stay healthy to be worth it.
MAY 28: The Giants and Andrew Thomas have once again agreed to a restructure. New York’s six-year left tackle starter has agreed to a reworking of his pact to create immediate cap space.
Team and player agreed to the latest restructure yesterday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. A portion of Thomas’ base salary for 2026 was converted into a roster bonus. The move created $6.46MM in space. As a result, Thomas is now on course to carry a cap charge of $17.59MM this season.
The former No. 4 pick was largely durable while playing out his rookie contract, something which helped New York make a big-money commitment in his case. Thomas inked a five-year extension worth $23.5MM per season in 2023. He has missed time every year since then, including the 2024 campaign in which Thomas was limited to just six appearances. His deal was restructured last September to create financial breathing room.
The Giants have taken the same route this time around. New York is currently near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space, so this Thomas restructure will help carve out some financial flexibility once it is processed. The team inked Francis Mauigoa to his rookie pact yesterday, but fellow top-10 selection Arvell Reese has not yet signed. The space created by this move will help make Reese’s deal easier to absorb and allow for other roster adjustments through the summer.
Thomas, 27, remains under contract through 2029 as things stand. None of his scheduled compensation beyond the coming campaign is guaranteed, although he is due a $2.5MM roster bonus next March. A healthy campaign would help ensure that payment winds up being made while also offering strong showings on the blindside for a Giants offensive line seeking improved play in 2026.
Giants WR Malik Nabers Uncertain For Week 1?
Malik Nabers‘ recent cleanup surgery raised some doubt about his availability for Week 1. Giants head coach John Harbaugh has since indicated that his Pro Bowl wide receiver’s status is indeed up in the air for New York’s season opener against the Cowboys.
“Just impossible to predict,” Harbaugh said at OTAs this week (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). “The goal is to start the season and get out there sometime in training camp. That’d be the goal, and we’ll see what happens.”
Nabers, 22, tore his ACL and meniscus at the end of September and underwent his first surgery in October. The Giants initially expected him to be ready for training camp, but Harbaugh walked that back in April. Now, it seems that the team is bracing for his potential absence to start the season.
“We’ll be ready to go either way,” Harbaugh said, adding that Nabers’ injury was not “simple.”
This could be a worrying update for Giants fans (and Nabers’ fantasy GMs), but Harbaugh was notoriously coy about injuries in Baltimore, especially complicated situations like Ronnie Stanley and Nnamdi Madubuike. During the season, he typically defers to the injury report, but that is less of an option in the offseason, where players’ presences at practice are closely watched and noticed.
Nabers seems unlikely to take the field until the end of training camp, at best, and his ramp-up period could extend into the season. He could even open the year on the physically unable to perform list, though that would prevent him from practicing until Week 5 and delay his return even longer.
The Giants are also taking a cautious path with star left tackle Andrew Thomas. He missed the start of the 2025 season as he recovered from a 2024 foot injury and finished the year on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Thomas said (via The Athletic’s Dan Duggan) that he is currently going through a “ramp up” process due to a lingering shoulder injury as well as long-term management of his 2024 Lisfranc injury.
While Thomas is sidelined, 2025 fifth-rounder Marcus Mbow is taking first-team left tackle reps, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. The Purdue product was the Giants’ swing tackle as a rookie two starts and 261 snaps at left tackle and one start and 58 snaps at right tackle, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/6/26
Here are today’s NFL minor moves as we head into the final weekend before the start of free agency:
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: RB Tyler Badie, DT Jordan Jackson, S Devon Key, OLB Dondrea Tillman
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: S M.J. Stewart
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: RB Jaret Patterson, S Kendall Williamson
New York Giants
- Released: T James Hudson
Washington Commanders
- Re-signed: K Jake Moody
Initially opening the season as a starter on the line in New York in place of Andrew Thomas, Hudson was benched after struggling in a first-string role. He had been signed to serve as a swing tackle for the Giants, but after his early-season struggles, he failed to see much playing time for the remainder of the season.
After getting waived by the team that drafted him in the third round, Moody landed on the Bears’ practice squad before the Commanders signed him to their active roster. Washington made the move after watching Moody connect on eight of nine field goal attempts in two games for Chicago then watched Moody convert 10 of 11 for their team over the final six weeks of the season. Not willing to pay the prices on a restricted free agent tender, the Commanders opted not to tender him but continued on the path to a new deal as an unrestricted free agent.
Giants Place Four On IR
The Raiders have moved Brock Bowers to injured reserve and shut down Maxx Crosby for the remainder of the season in advance of their Week 17 game. The Giants will likewise be shorthanded tomorrow.
New York has placed left tackle Andrew Thomas, center John Michael Schmitz, safety Tyler Nubin and defensive lineman D.J. Davidson on injured reserve, per a team announcement. IR stints require an absence of at least four weeks. The Giants have long been out of playoff contention, so today’s news ensures none of the four players listed will play again in 2025.
Thomas and Schmitz had already been ruled out for Week 17, leaving the Giants thin up front for their critical game against the Raiders. Both teams are currently 2-13, and the loser will have pole position for the No. 1 selection in April’s draft. It comes as no surprise both Vegas and New York are proceeding with rosters at less than full strength for the closing weeks of the season.
Nubin has remained a full-time starter during his second season with the Giants. The 2024 second-rounder’s campaign ends with 78 tackles and a pair of pass deflections, although he has struggled in coverage compared to his rookie year. Nubin, 24, has allowed a passer rating of 132.2 and four touchdowns as the nearest defender in 2025.
Davidson has totaled 47 appearances and four starts across his time in New York. The 26-year-old’s rookie contract is set to expire in March, so unlike the other players sidelined the rest of the way his attention will now turn to free agency. The Giants, meanwhile, will look elsewhere on the roster for Weeks 17 and 18.
Injury Updates: Wright, Giants, Adams
A handful of notable injury updates heading into Week 17:
- Set to face the 49ers on Sunday in a battle of NFC heavyweights, the Bears may go without right tackle Darnell Wright. The 24-year-old is questionable with an illness, and he will not join the team in traveling to San Francisco on Saturday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Since going 10th overall in the 2023 draft, Wright has started in all 47 NFL appearances, including 14 this year. If Wright can’t go on Sunday, it’s likely Theo Benedet will start in his place.
- Giants tight end Theo Johnson (illness) and center John Michael Schmitz (finger) are the latest starters the team has ruled out for Sunday, joining left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring). The Giants and Raiders, both 2-13, will square off with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft likely at stake. The Raiders decided earlier this week to shut down their two best players, defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers, ahead of what could be a franchise-altering game.
- The Rams are likely to go a second straight week without star wide receiver Davante Adams. He’ll be listed as doubtful for Monday’s matchup against the Falcons, Schefter relays. With the postseason nearing, the Rams are playing it safe with Adams, who aggravated a hamstring injury in Week 15. Adams, the Rams’ top Puka Nacua complement, leads the league with 14 touchdown grabs.
- The Jaguars have downgraded running back Bhayshul Tuten from questionable to out for Sunday’s meeting with the Colts. Tuten suffered a finger injury in a Week 15 win over the Jets and subsequently underwent surgery, keeping the rookie fourth-rounder out of last Sunday’s victory in Denver. Tuten ranks second among Jaguars RBs in carries (78), yards (284) and touchdowns (four), trailing Travis Etienne in those categories. LeQuint Allen will back up Etienne on Sunday as the hard-charging Jags go for their seventh win in a row.
Giants LT Andrew Thomas To Make 2025 Debut
Following rumors throughout the week that Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas may finally make his way back to the field again this season, the team officially announced that Thomas is active for tonight’s matchup with the Chiefs. The question remains, though, just how active Thomas will be.
Thomas was limited to six games last season due to a Lisfranc injury, one which required a screw to be inserted into his foot. The screw has since been removed, something which caused a slight delay in his rehab process. Thomas also underwent an ankle scope this offseason, resulting in plenty of uncertainty in his regular season availability.
Thomas took part in practice for Weeks 1 and 2 but was listed as doubtful for both contests. With an increased workload this week, some optimism arose that keeping him off of any type of injured lists to open the season was, perhaps, a good move. While things were certainly improving, Thomas was reportedly still not at 100-percent health. This led to some speculation on what might be the best way to get Thomas back up to speed.
Yesterday saw reports that Thomas could certainly make his season debut tonight, but it may not be as a full-time starter. As he focuses on longevity on his way back, it had been proposed that Thomas may play in a rotation on the offensive line. Marcus Mbow has been helping to fill in on the blindside for Thomas and would likely be the one rotating with him at left tackle, especially considering that the team is not considering moving Mbow inside to guard with Thomas’ return.
Regardless of how much time he sees, the Giants will certainly be happy to get Thomas back on the field tonight. It will be interesting to see just how much he can go as he continues to ramp his way back up to full health.
Giants Expect LT Andrew Thomas To Play In Week 3
SEPTEMBER 20: With Thomas set to return on at least a rotational basis, Mbow is indeed in line for a part-time role on the blindside or a return to backup duties. Daboll confirmed (via Bridget Reilly of the New York Post) Mbow taking over a first-team spot at guard is not being considered
SEPTEMBER 18: Andrew Thomas has been absent through the first two weeks of the season, leaving the Giants’ offensive line notably shorthanded. That could change on Sunday.
Thomas took part in practice for Weeks 1 and 2, and he has once again been on the field in recent days. That included an increased workload Wednesday, and ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes there is a strong chance a return to play in time for Sunday night could take place. Head coach Brian Daboll‘s comments on the matter suggested that is the team’s expectation (h/t Dan Duggan of The Athletic).
Thomas remained on the active/PUP list until mid-August while recovering from the Lisfranc injury which cut his 2024 campaign short. The screw inserted into his foot as part of his initial surgery was removed, and as a result his recovery timeline was pushed back to an extent. Having also undergone an ankle scope this offseason, Thomas has understandably been handled with caution in terms of his return to action. Being available for New York’s upcoming game would of course be critical, though.
Replacement left tackle James Hudson struggled mightily in Week 2, drawing four penalty flags before being benched for Marcus Mbow. The latter, a fifth-round rookie, fared better upon taking on blindside duties but he would return to a backup role provided Thomas is cleared to play. Duggan notes a move to guard is unlikely in Mbow’s case given the fact he did not see any reps on the inside during training camp.
Thomas’ contract was restructured just before the start of the season. The 26-year-old remains on the books through 2029, so his long-term health will remain a priority for the team. A cautious approach has been taken to date, but a continued ramping up of his workload over the coming days would pave the way for a season debut on Sunday. The Giants will seek their first win of the campaign against a Chiefs team which also finds itself at 0-2.
NFL Injury Updates: Penning, Thomas, Seahawks, MNF
The Saints have been dealing with multiple injuries on the offensive line this week. In his first season with the team, guard Dillon Radunz has been spot starting in place of presumed starting guard Trevor Penning, who has been dealing with a turf toe injury since the preseason.
Per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football, Radunz has been ruled out as he deals with a toe injury of his own. Penning, though, may be available to retake a starting spot. The fourth-year lineman hasn’t played yet in 2025, but he returned to practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
Formerly the Saints’ starting right tackle, Penning was expected to shift into a starting role on the inside as first-round Texas rookie Kelvin Banks took the starting left tackle job, pushing last year’s first-round rookie left tackle, Taliese Fuaga, to the right side of the line. Penning was a limited participant for the rest of the week of practice, and he’s listed as questionable, but with Radunz out, Penning may be challenged to make his season debut.
Fuaga is also listed as questionable, despite not practicing at all this week as he deals with knee and back issues. Joining Radunz with an out designation is defensive end Chase Young, who like Penning, has not played yet this year.
Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:
- Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas has yet to play in 2025 as he works his way back from a Lisfranc injury from 2024. The veteran lineman is listed as questionable this week and has been rumored as likely to play. He may be able to do so without fully coming back. Per Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post Sports, Thomas hasn’t “ruled out that he could play in a rotation as he works his way back” with a focus on longevity. The team will see how he feels today before making a final decision on his status for tomorrow, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, but the idea of using a rotation to ease him in is seemingly gaining popularity.
- The Seahawks sustained injuries over the last week to running back Zach Charbonnet, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and safety Julian Love. There was worry that each player could be out for an extended period of time, but The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar reports that none of the three are being considered for stints on injured reserve. All three, though, are doubtful to play in Week 3.
- After tight end Isaiah Likely suffered a foot injury in training camp, the Ravens opted not to place him on any injured lists to avoid a guaranteed four-week absence. The 25-year-old returned to practice this week but won’t be active to play on Monday. They’ll likely aim to have him back in time Week 4. Joining Likely as a scratch this week will be defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Madubuike is dealing with a neck injury, and the team is evaluating some symptoms they’ve seen throughout the week to be safe. Sixth-round rookie Aeneas Peebles is likely to get some increased run this week as a result.
- As for the other Monday Night Football team, the Lions will be without pass rusher Marcus Davenport for their trip to Baltimore, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Davenport declined to give any details about the nature of his injury, but his arm has been seen in a sling. Whatever the situation, head coach Dan Campbell does not see the situation as season-ending.
Giants Restructure LT Andrew Thomas’ Deal
For the second year in a row, the Giants have restructured Andrew Thomas‘ contract. Another reworking has taken place just before the start of the season, ESPN’s Field Yates notes.
New York entered Thursday with roughly $2.5MM in cap space, so a move such as this was necessary to create financial breathing room for the campaign. Today’s restructure will free up $12.2MM in 2025 cap space since it is a maximum conversion of base salary to signing bonus. Thomas will see his cap charges increase by $3.05MM over the four remaining years on his pact (h/t ESPN’s Yates’ colleague Jordan Raanan).
[RELATED: Reviewing Giants’ Offseason]
The 26-year-old’s health has been a talking point throughout the offseason. Thomas was limited to six games last season due to a Lisfranc injury, one which required a screw to be inserted into his foot. The screw has since been removed, something which caused a slight delay in his rehab process. Thomas also underwent an ankle scope this offseason, and his Week 1 availability is uncertain.
The Georgia product was on the PUP list until mid-August, so he has seen limited reps in practice since being activated. Thomas did not participate in the preseason, something which would of course generally be the case with healthy players of his stature. Still, his small summer workload means it remains to be seen if he will be able to suit up in time for Sunday’s game against the Commanders.
James Hudson may be called into action on the blindside as a result, but even if so Thomas will be counted to remain an anchor up front for the Giants once he is fully cleared. The latter is on the books through 2029 thanks to his $23.5MM-per-year extension inked during the 2023 offseason. Thomas managing to stay healthy over the coming years would be critical for New York’s offense. The team is confident in the chances of that taking place, something demonstrated in part by the decision to rework his pact once again.
NFL Injury Updates: Thomas, Colson, Otton
The Giants activated left tackle Andrew Thomas from the active/physically unable to perform list earlier in the month, and it was quite a journey to get him to that point. Thomas was working his way back from a Lisfranc injury that ended his 2024 campaign after only six weeks of play.
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Thomas’ recovery timeline hit a bump when he underwent another surgery in April to have a screw removed from his foot. The screw had been put in as part of the initial October operation, and the doctors had informed him at the time that there was a 50-50 chance the screw would need to be removed. The screw reportedly was causing Thomas discomfort, so the second operation was performed, delaying his return just a bit.
Thomas also underwent a scope of his other ankle that was planned long before the screw removal in order to remove some scar tissue. That ankle is back to full health now, and Thomas will continue working his way back to 100 percent as the regular season approaches.
Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:
- In final roster cuts, the Chargers placed linebacker Junior Colson on season-ending injured reserve. No information was given on the injury, as teams don’t submit injury reports until the regular season, but per ESPN’s Kris Rhim, head coach Jim Harbaugh disclosed that Colson had undergone season-ending shoulder surgery. It’s a disappointing outcome for the second-year player out of Michigan.
- Lastly, the litany of injuries to pass catchers in Tampa Bay may extend to the tight ends room. According to Buccaneers staff writer/reporter Brianna Dix, tight end Cade Otton could end up missing regular season time with a leg injury. Otton missed most of training camp because of a hamstring injury but returned in the closing days of the preseason. Now, the leg injury has held him out of the team’s last two practices and could indicate that he may be unavailable for some portion of the regular season.