Injuries adding to O-line woes
At the start of the season, there was a surge of optimism surrounding the Giants’ ability to take a step forward from their 2016 success and not only once again qualify for the playoffs, but to make some noise once they got there.
The one caveat, nearly universally embraced, was the quality, or lack thereof, of the offensive line in general, and left tackle Ereck Flowers in particular.
Well then, tucked into this 0-4 stagger out of the gate by the Giants is this little hidden gem: Flowers is the only member of the offensive line to play every snap thus far at his designated position.
Injuries have forced shuffling and reshuffling and through it all, Flowers has stayed put as change is a constant around him. Justin Pugh, the starting left guard, has been forced outside to right tackle to fill in for injured Bobby Hart. Brett Jones filled in at left guard until a hip issue sent him to the side, forcing John Jerry to move from right guard to left guard and bring D.J. Fluker off the bench to slide in at right guard.
“I think it’s brought us closer,’’ Pugh said of the upheaval. “We’re not where we want to be, but we’re getting better and playing more for each other.’’
In four games, the Giants have had three different starting offensive-line combinations. And more are likely on the way.
With starting center Weston Richburg in the concussion protocol, reinforcements are needed, and the Giants signed Jon Halapio off their practice squad. Halapio is insurance for Jones, who will step in at center if Richburg is unavailable.
Hart was not on the i nj ury report last week and was a healthy scratch against the Buccaneers, a move that appeared to be performance-based. Hart, who missed one game and almost all of a second with a sprained ankle, was not benched, according to coach Ben McAdoo.
“I felt it was best to give Bobby a full week of practice and see how he does with a full week of practice this week,’’ said McAdoo, who added “there’s a chance’’ Hart will be the starting right tackle Sunday against the Chargers.
“He had a good practice [Wendesday],’’ McAdoo said.