The Giants did not practice Christmas Day, but their projected injury report does not bode well for their offensive line continuity for Sunday’s game against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
The projection states that left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) and center John Michael Schmitz Jr. (hand) would not have practiced for a second straight day.
It is likely both will miss this next game, meaning two-fifths of the offensive line will be made up of backups to face a defensive front that includes relentless Maxx Crosby and his 10 sacks this season.
The replacement for Thomas would be rookie Marcus Mbow, who would make his second NFL start.
The fifth-round pick from Purdue started Week 9 against the 49ers at right tackle in place of Jermaine Eluemunor. Mbow played 51 snaps in Week 2 in Dallas at left tackle after James Hudson III was benched.
At center, Austin Schlottmann would get the call. A seven-year veteran, he has two starts this season filling in for Schmitz — Week 7 in Denver and Week 10 at Chicago.
Starting safety Tyler Nubin (neck) also would not have practiced. Nubin last week scooped up a loose ball from a Brian Burns strip-sack and ran for a 27-yard touchdown in a 16-13 loss to the Vikings.
Dane Belton has started games when Nubin has been out.
Also projected to miss practice: DL D.J. Davidson (neck/concussion), OL Evan Neal (neck) and DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (ankle/toe).
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
