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10 things to watch in Giants vs. Eagles

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NEXT MAN UP ON O-LINE

Star left tackle Andrew Thomas underwent surgery to repair a foot injury Wednesday morning and will miss the remainder of the season, coach Brian Daboll confirmed earlier this week. Thomas suffered the injury during last week's loss to the Bengals.

"You can't replace an Andrew Thomas," the head coach said. "I feel terrible for him. I was able to text with him today. He had his surgery this morning, everything was successful. He's a leader, he's a captain, he's great in the locker room, he's a very good football player."

Thomas being sidelined is a tough blow to a Giants offensive line that saw its five starters play every single snap together over the first six games of the season, the only one in the NFL to do so. But similar to what we've seen at other positions over the last few weeks, it's next man up to fill the void left by Thomas.

Daboll said the Giants will take the week to decide their options at the tackle positions. Third-year pro Joshua Ezeudu could slot in at left tackle. The 25-year-old has only been on the field for three snaps this season, all of which were run plays. But Ezeudu did fill in at left tackle last year when Thomas missed time due to a hamstring injury, playing in six games with five starts.

Another option could involve some shuffling along the O-line. Veteran Jermaine Eluemunor, who has played every snap at right tackle this season and has yet to surrender a sack, could shift to the left side, where he has played 421 snaps over his NFL career. If this were to occur, Evan Neal could then start at right tackle. Neal has not played a snap yet this season. Daboll also said that Neal could take some snaps at left tackle during practice this week.

"Everyone's on this team for a reason," Daboll said about the team's injuries. "They're all working to improve. They're not here just to hold the space. They're working to improve. So when they get their opportunity, they go out there and they do as good of a job as they can do and be themselves and trust their fundamentals, their techniques. That's why they work so hard and are involved in the meetings and get the reps, because you have to develop those guys that are backups throughout the season. Because inevitably, you'll have some type of injury, regardless of the spot it is."

"It's next guy up and that group's played well this year," Daniel Jones added after practice. "I think obviously it's a tough blow to lose Andrew. He's a tremendous player, a tremendous leader for us. But I'm confident guys will step up and I think more than anything, it's about that group playing well together as a unit, communicating, getting on the same page, and helping each other. And so far, they've done a really good job with that."

After placing Thomas on injured reserve, the Giants signed offensive tackle Chris Hubbard off the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad. Hubbard, 6-4 and 295 pounds, has exactly 100 games of NFL experience, including six in the postseason. He played his first five seasons with the Steelers (2013-2017), the next five with the Browns (2018-2022), and one with the Titans (2023). Hubbard has started 58 games, 51 of which were at right tackle. He has also started four games at right guard and three as an extra lineman.

ALL-TIME SERIES

The Giants (2-4) play their second consecutive home game as they host the Eagles (3-2) on Sunday, Oct. 20 in MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Sunday's game marks the third divisional game for the Giants in 2024 and first against the Eagles. In their most recent matchup, the Giants won, 27-10, in East Rutherford on Jan. 7, 2024.

The Giants are 86-90-2 in the regular-season series, including 49-40-1 at home.

Broadcast_Newsletter_Week7

INJURY REPORT

Giants

Out: P Jamie Gillan (Left Hamstring), CB Adoree' Jackson (Neck)

Questionable: S Dane Belton (Illness), OLB Brian Burns (Groin), DL Dexter Lawrence (Hip)

Eagles

Out: TE Dallas Goedert (Hamstring), T Jordan Mailata (Hamstring), DT Byron Young (Hamstring)

Questionable: CB Darius Slay (Knee), CB Eli Ricks (Groin)

DIVISIONAL MATCHUP

Sunday's game undoubtedly has some extra meaning. For starters, it serves as an opportunity for the Giants to pick up their first NFC East win of the season. The Giants fell to the Commanders, 21-18, in Week 2, and to the Cowboys, 20-15, in Week 4. Additionally, the Giants would like to break their recent trend against the Eagles, as the division rivals have won 17 of the last 21 meetings.

Of course, this week's game has another key storyline. When the Eagles come to MetLife Stadium this weekend, it will be running back Saquon Barkley's first game back against his former team. The long-time captain spent his first six seasons with the Giants and finds himself among the franchise leaders in most rushing categories.

"I know that the people that have been around him have a great deal of respect for Saquon," Daboll said. "Our job is going to be to do what we need to do. He's a tough player to defend and we're going to have our hands full."

"He's a great teammate, a great friend, and obviously a really good player," Jones told reporters. "Spent a lot of time together on and off the field, and someone who helped me out a ton as I was getting into the league and through my first few years. So, I have a ton of respect and appreciation for who he is as a person."

"I appreciate what he did for this organization and who he was as a teammate and a person to me, most importantly," Dexter Lawrence added. "But, Sunday is war and he knows that."

NABERS CLEARS CONCUSSION PROTOCOL

Malik Nabers was evaluated by the independent neurological consultant Thursday afternoon and cleared the concussion protocol.

The rookie wide receiver missed the last two games due to the concussion he suffered during the Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Prior to the injury, the 21-year-old LSU product led the NFL with 35 receptions through four games, five more than any other player, while his 386 receiving yards ranked second.

Nabers became the first player in the Super Bowl era with at least 30 receptions, 300 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns in his first four career games.

His 35 receptions through four games are the second-most in NFL history (Puka Nacua had 39 in 2023). The other two players with 30+ receptions in their first four games each went on to break the single-season rookie record (Nacua, Anquan Boldin in 2003).

Nabers also had at least five receptions in each of his first four games, tied for the fourth-longest streak to start a career since at least 1970. The three players with the longest streaks to start their careers are CeeDee Lamb (six games in 2020), Nacua (five games in 2023), and Terry Glenn (five games in 1996).

TRACY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES

With Devin Singletary sidelined for the second consecutive week, Tyrone Tracy Jr. once again took full advantage of his expanded opportunity. The rookie carried the ball 17 times for 50 yards and the first touchdown of his NFL career, but it was the passing game where he really made an impact. The converted wide receiver caught all six passes thrown his way for 57 yards, matching Darius Slayton as the team's leading receiver. This production came one week after Tracy ran for 129 yards while averaging over seven yards per carry against the Seahawks, which led to back-to-back nominations for Rookie of the Week.

Daboll said Singletary is "good to go" for this week's game. The veteran was a limited participant throughout the week last week before being ruled out on Saturday, and has once again been listed as limited participant in practice this week. Even with Singletary's return, Tracy has likely earned himself a bigger role in the offense. The 24-year-old has proven to be difficult to bring down, as he has forced six missed tackles over the last two games while catching 11 of 13 targets thrown his way.

"He's earned it," the head coach said Friday about Tracy getting more snaps. "He's done a good job, so he'll get plenty of playing time. Motor, we'll see how the game's going and how it transpires. But Motor will play, Tracy will play, (Eric) Gray will play. We'll use all three of those guys."

"I think Tyrone has capitalized on his opportunities," assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said earlier in the week. "So, depending on the game plan, depending on the week, depending on the flow of the game, how things are going, that can determine a lot of things. Whether they're getting touches or not. He's done a great job with his opportunities in the pass game, in the screen game, in the running game. So, we're just going continue to build off that."

The Eagles have had mixed results stopping the run this season. Their 123.0 rushing yards per game ranks 16th in the NFL, while their 4.8 yards per carry allowed comes in at No. 26.

View photos of the Giants on the practice field at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

DEFENSE'S HOT START

The Giants' defense is coming off perhaps its most impressive performance of the season. The Bengals entered Sunday Night Football with at least 33 points and 23 first downs in each of their previous three games, along with an average of 417 total yards of offense during that stretch. Cincinnati also ranked as a top 5 unit in both third down and red zone offense. Well, the Giants held the Bengals to just 17 points, 304 total yards of offense, and 13 first downs, all of which were their lowest totals since their Week 1 loss to the Patriots. The defense also held them to four conversions on 11 third down attempts, and kept them out of the end zone in their lone trip inside the 20-yard line.

While last week's game was a strong showing by the defense, the unit has performed at a high level all season. Heading into Week 7, the Giants rank ninth in points and 10th in yards allowed on the season. The defense has not surrendered more than 21 points in any game this year, despite matchups against some of the league's most potent offenses. The unit also ranks 11th in both third and fourth down defense, while their 41.7 percent red zone defense ranks as the seventh-best in the NFL.

A big reason for the defense's success has been the pass rush. The Giants have registered 26 sacks through the first six games, four more than any other team. Leading the way is defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who is off to the best start of his NFL career. Lawrence has already picked up seven sacks this year, which has him tied for the second-most and just a half-sack shy of the league-lead. With 11 games to go, the 26-year-old needs one full sack to top his previous career-high of 7.5 sacks set in 2022. Lawrence did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday before returning on Friday.

OJULARI STEPPING UP

The Thomas news marks the second consecutive week in which the Giants lost a key starter after outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was placed on injured reserve last week after undergoing wrist surgery. The Giants can only hope that the replacement along the O-line sees similar results as we saw on the edge last week. Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari stepped in opposite Brian Burns, and the fourth-year edge rusher put together one of the best games of his young NFL career. Ojulari had two sacks and six total pressures on 26 pass rushes against the Bengals, which resulted in his highest pressure rate generated in a game since the 2021 season finale.

"He did a good job," defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said Thursday about Ojulari. "That's the expectation. These guys, they get their opportunities and make the most of them. Be ready to go day in, day out. Never know when that opportunity is going to arise. I thought he showed up. He made plays for us. He was active. He was winning. He was getting off the ball. I felt his speed out there attacking the line of scrimmage. Really pleased with him and being ready to go and showing up when we needed him."

Sunday's matchup against the Bengals was the first game in which Ojulari played more than 44 percent of the team's defensive snaps this year. Despite his limited action, Ojulari is tied for the second-most sacks on the team with three, while his four quarterback hits are tied for fourth. His 13 pressures on 92 pass rushes has led to a 14.1 percent pressure rate, the highest by any Giants pass rusher this season with at least 50 pass rushes.

The Eagles' 14 sacks allowed are tied with the Giants for the 14th-fewest in the league, although the Giants have played one more game. But Philadelphia's O-line has taken a big hit, as coach Nick Sirianni told reporters earlier this week that starting left tackle Jordan Mailata will miss some time due to a hamstring injury. Fred Johnson filled in at left tackle once Mailata left last week's game and allowed two pressures on just five pass blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. In two and a half games this season, Johnson has allowed two sacks and a total of 18 pressures.

CONTAINING PHILLY'S RUN GAME

When it comes to the Giants' defense, the pass rush has garnered most of the attention, and rightfully so. The unit's 26 sacks are four more than any other team and represents the franchise's second-highest total ever through six games. But an underrated part of the defense's success has been the performance of their two inside linebackers – Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden.

McFadden ranks second on the team in total tackles with 36, while Okereke is right behind him with 35. Both players have forced a fumble and also recovered a fumble, while also being factors in the pass rush. They each have 1.5 sacks on the season, while McFadden has four quarterback hits and Okereke has two. Additionally, the linebackers have helped improve a Giants' run defense that struggled mightily over the last few seasons. The Giants enter Week 7 ranking 15th in the league with 116.3 rushing yards allowed per game, while their three rushing touchdowns are tied for the fifth-fewest. The numbers would look even better had it not been for the Commanders' 215-yard rushing performance back in Week 2, as no other opponent has run for more than 121 yards against the Giants this season.

The Giants are going to need the two linebackers to bring their A game this Sunday going up against the Eagles' talented rushing attack. Former Giant Saquon Barkley has led the way for the Eagles with 91 rush attempts for 482 yards and four touchdowns, but quarterback Jalen Hurts is also a threat with his legs. Hurts has 196 yards and two touchdowns on the ground this season, while his 56 rush attempts are the third-most among quarterbacks, trailing only Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels. The combination of Hurts and Barkley has helped the Eagles rushing attack rank sixth in the league with 146.2 yards per game. Barkley's 96.4 rushing yards per game is currently the third-highest in the NFL, while his 482 rushing yards rank fourth. He is averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per carry with four touchdowns on the ground, while adding 14 receptions for 92 yards and one additional score.

PFF ranks McFadden as one of the top linebackers against the run so far this season, and both he and Okereke will have to step up this Sunday to try to contain the Eagles' run game.

"Explosive," Bowen said about Barkley. "You give him space, he finds it. He's made teams pay already this season on that. Got the ability to make the home run, hit the home run every time he has the ball in his hands. So, we've got to be disciplined. We've got to do a good job. We've got to get hats to the party. It's going to be tough bringing him down with one guy. Big challenge for us."

SCOUTING THE REST OF THE EAGLES

It's been an up and down start to the season for the Eagles, who have alternated between wins and losses since their season-opening victory over the Packers in Brazil. After scoring 34 points in that Week 1 win, Philadelphia has failed to top 21 points in each of their last four games (they also had a Week 5 bye). The Eagles' offense enters this matchup ranking 18th in points scored but 10th in yards gained.

Jalen Hurts has completed 67.5 percent of his passes on the season for 1,194 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions for a 92.2 passer rating, and has also fumbled the ball five times through five games. Since the start of the 2023 campaign, Hurts leads the NFL with 27 total turnovers (19 interceptions, eight fumbles).

After both players missed time earlier in the year, wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both returned for the team's Week 6 victory over Cleveland. Brown led the team with six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown, while Smith caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Dallas Goedert left the game early due to a hamstring injury and has been ruled out for Week 7. In last week's game, Grant Calcaterra filled in for Goedert and caught four passes for 67 yards. Elsewhere on the offense, the Eagles will be without starting left tackle Jordan Mailata after he also injured his hamstring in last week's win. Coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Monday that they expect the left tackle "to be out a couple of weeks."

Moving over to the defense, the Eagles currently rank 14th in points and 20th in yards allowed. Similar to the Giants, the unit has performed well in the red zone, allowing a touchdown on just seven of 17 trips inside their 20-yard line. This 41.2 percent red zone defense ranks sixth in the NFL. Philadelphia's 11 sacks are currently tied for the 24th-most, while their two turnovers forced match the Las Vegas Raiders for the fewest in the league.

Both of the Eagles' turnovers have come in the form of Reed Blankenship interceptions. Meanwhile, linebacker Zack Baun and outside linebacker Josh Sweat are tied for the team-lead with two sacks apiece. Baun also has registered a team-high 51 total tackles, while rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell leads the team with six passes defensed. Fellow rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean started his first game for the Eagles this past Sunday and notched six total tackles (three solo) and a quarterback hit. Philadelphia also boasts a talented group of defensive tackles in Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams, who have combined for eight tackles for loss on the year.

View rare photos of the historic rivalry between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.

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