Giants' Andrew Thomas Could Make Season Debut vs. Chiefs as Decision Goes to Game Time

Andrew Thomas' availability for the Giants' Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs remains unsettled, with a return likely to be decided at or near game time as he ramps up practice. The Pro Bowl left tackle has not played this season while recovering from left-foot surgery last October, and coach Brian Daboll said the plan this week is for him to take additional reps despite being listed as a limited participant.

"I’d say he took a lot of reps [Wednesday] and he’ll take a number of them today. It’s just a positive sign," Daboll said of Thomas' progression. "I think this thing will go all the way up [to game time]. After [Friday], we’ll see how he feels. He has to feel the right way, but it’s a good sign with the next step of the progression. But he felt good after doing a number of reps [Wednesday]."

Thomas’ workload comes as the Giants did not practice in full pads Thursday, but the plan was for him to participate in a substantial number of reps despite his limited-status designation for a second straight day. Daboll described the increased workload as a "good sign" and reiterated that the decision will go all the way up to game time; Thomas must feel right for a return, but the progression across this week has been encouraging.

This is Thomas’ first year back from the left-foot surgery he underwent last October, and he has not yet appeared in a regular-season game this season. The Giants will need him at full strength against a Kansas City defense that presents a formidable challenge in a primetime Sunday night matchup. Along with the Thomas watch, New York is balancing roster depth as it navigates injuries on both sides of the ball.

Against Dallas in Week 2, veteran fill-in tackle James Hudson III was flagged for four penalties on the opening drive and was replaced by rookie Marcus Mbow. In the same game, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. contributed five carries for 15 yards and added five kickoff returns for 132 yards, illustrating the Giants’ depth options as they explore ways to maximize their playmaking talent. Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said Tracy’s college experience and early NFL opportunities give the Giants a versatile weapon who can contribute as a ball carrier and a returner.

"He’s a guy that obviously did it in college, and a little bit last year. … It’s one opportunity to give a guy an extra touch," Ghobrial said. "He obviously has a skill set that’s very valuable to this team as a running back. He has good top-end speed, he has good vision, so whenever you give a guy a touch like that and he’s able to have a day the way he did, it makes us very confident in him to have the ability to be used back there as a returner."

On the injury front, linebackers Chauncey Golston (ankle) and Darius Muasau (concussion protocol) did not practice, while Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) returned on a limited basis. Other limited participants included Gunner Olszewski (back), Wan’Dale Robinson (foot), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot), Jon Runyan Jr. (back), John Michael Schmitz (toe), Darius Slayton (groin/calf) and Tyrone Tracy (calf).

With Thomas’ status uncertain, the Giants are preparing for a high-profile Week 3 assignment against the defending Super Bowl-champion Chiefs, a game that will test an offense still adjusting to early-season turnover and injuries. The team will finalize its plan on Friday as Thomas continues a measured ramp-up toward what could be a season debut.

If Thomas is cleared, New York will inject a veteran anchor into a unit that seeks cohesion against a perennial AFC power, while the rest of the roster continues to navigate a limited practice schedule and the ongoing evaluation of players stepping into expanded roles.