Giants' Andrew Thomas ramping up toward potential return against Chiefs

Left tackle Andrew Thomas is moving closer to a season debut for the New York Giants, a development that could be tested this Sunday night when they visit the Kansas City Chiefs. After a winding path through the early stages of his foot surgery recovery, Thomas was set to participate in Wednesday’s practice with a plan to take more reps than he did last week. Head coach Brian Daboll said the workload would be “a good amount of reps” as he moves out of the rehab segment. Thomas was listed as a limited participant, and if he avoids a setback, this could be the week he returns to the field.

Thomas’s potential return arrives as the Giants deal with a shakeup on the line after James Hudson III, a free-agent addition, was benched following a rough start in the 40-37 overtime loss to the Cowboys. Hudson drew four penalties during the Giants’ first offensive series, and after those 16 snaps he was pulled in favor of rookie Marcus Mbow. There is some damage control this week regarding Hudson’s actions. Daboll said Hudson was not the offender on one of the four penalties, a false start, and the Giants surmise center John Michael Schmitz bore responsibility for that flag. Hudson also took a wild swing toward defensive end Sam Williams, though the Giants say Hudson was attempting a move and slipped, which made the blow look worse than it was.

Hudson has shown a feisty streak at times this summer, but he insists it will not happen again. “It’s not hard because I’m a smart player,” Hudson said. “This is the first time that this situation has come up in my career. It won’t happen again. Everybody in this building, I feel, has a good feel for me and they know that’s not me. I can’t really worry about what everybody else might think.”

If Thomas returns, the Giants would gain a veteran anchor on a line that has faced pressure this season. His presence would likely shift protections and bolster the run game, potentially easing the burden on quarterback Daniel Jones and the rest of the offense as they prepare to face a Chiefs defense that features disruptive edge players. The plan remains contingent on how Thomas responds in practice and whether he can maintain any improvement without reinjury.

The dynamic at left tackle is part of a broader challenge for New York’s personnel group as it navigates early-season adversity and looks to stabilize the unit ahead of a high-profile matchup with Kansas City. The Giants’ decision-makers will monitor Thomas’s progress up to game day, weighing the benefits of a possible return against the risk of triggering a setback in his rehabilitation. The team did not announce a formal roster designation at this time, but the expectation around MetLife Stadium has been that Thomas could be ready to line up on Sunday if all goes well at practice.

As the week unfolds, the Giants will continue to assess Thomas’s recovery timeline, the balance of reps across the offense, and how Hudson and the rest of the line adapt to the possible reintegration of their star left tackle. The Chiefs game looms as a demanding test, underscoring why any positive step toward Thomas’s return would be welcomed by a team trying to regain its footing after a close, high-scoring defeat.