Gates likely done for year with broken leg

LANDOVER, Md. — The always-embattled Giants offensive line likely lost its most indispensable player for the season. Nick Gates, a co-captain who unselfishly moved from center to left guard for Thursday’s game, suffered a lower leg fracture in the first quarter of a 30-29 loss to Washington. Gates rolled around in agony before his leg was wrapped in an air cast and comparisons began to another horrific leg injury suffered in the Giants-Washington series, back when Lawrence Taylor ended Joe Theismann’s career in 1985. NFL Network declined to air a replay because the injury was too gruesome. The entire Giants sideline looked emotional and poured onto the field in support — speaking to the severity of the injury — as Gates was lifted onto a cart. He waved to the crowd before heading into the tunnel and being transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he will undergo surgery Friday morning. “The team had a little bit of a gut punch seeing a guy like that who is a strong leader,” coach Joe Judge said. “I thought they rallied and responded the right way for him. He’s an all-in team guy.”

The Giants opened the game with a 79-yard touchdown drive behind a revamped offensive line.

Billy Price, who was acquired in a trade on Aug. 30 but didn’t practice until Sept. 6, started at center. It was a bold shake-up from four days earlier, a betterthan-expected Week 1 performance when Shane Lemieux played the first three series before giving way to Ben Bredeson for the rest of the game. Bredeson replaced the injured Gates.

Lemieux was placed on injured reserve Thursday and will miss at least the next two games. He tried to gut through a knee injury suffered in the second practice of training camp. Matt Skura — a career 51-game starter — was signed off the practice squad to take Lemieux’s roster spot. Another addition could be coming when Gates lands on IR.

“It hurts to see him go down like that,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “We’re certainly praying for him and wishing for the best.”

Price is a former firstround pick (Bengals in 2018), and Gates, who never played center before last season, made one start at right guard in 2019 after playing tackle on both sides of the line in college.

The Giants are searching for stability at right tackle, rotating Nate Solder and Matt Peart.