If Saquon Barkley manages to fight his way into the Giants’ lineup Sunday against the Dolphins, he will be running behind a severely weakened offensive line.
The Giants listed Barkley (high ankle sprain) as questionable but ruled out three offensive linemen who have started games this season: Left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring), center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and left guard Shane Lemieux (groin).
“We work all offseason to be healthy and be able to contribute,” Thomas said, “and when you can’t, it’s not the best feeling.”
Barkley’s status has improved each week, but he still looked limited during Friday’s practice, putting a third straight game in jeopardy. Head coach Brian Daboll said Barkley has been able to cut laterally in practice.
“He’s done stuff in team [drills] and some individual stuff,” Daboll said. “So, I think he’s made progress. We’ll let it go as far as we can let it go.”
There is more clarity — discouraging as it might be — on the offensive line.
Matt Peart is the only healthy backup — at least until Jalen Mayfield and/or Jaylon Thomas is elevated from the practice squad — behind Josh Ezeudu, Mark Glowinski, Ben Bredeson, Marcus McKethan and Evan Neal (left to right). That group mostly is responsible for allowing a near-franchise record 11 sacks and an NFL-high 36 quarterback pressures last week.
“During the games I try to be another set of eyes,” Thomas said. “If I feel like I can help with technique or looking at safety rotation. I don’t want to be out there yelling and screaming and making it harder for those guys. I know what it’s like being in that position — already a lot to think about.”
Thomas does not know if staying in the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys after his first-quarter injury suffered chasing down a blocked field goal return did more harm than good.
“Even when we were down, my mindset is if I can go out there, I’m going to try to until they pull me out,” Thomas said. “I never have any regrets about effort.”
TE Daniel Bellinger (knee) and LB Micah McFadden (ankle) are listed as questionable. McFadden was injured during Thursday’s practice. Bellinger’s absence could have a big impact on Darren Waller’s blocking-versus-receiving deployment.
On Jan. 28, 2022, the Dolphins requested a second interview with Daboll for their head coaching vacancy. Within a few hours, Daboll — then the Bills offensive coordinator — was hired as Giants head coach and the Dolphins pivoted to Mike McDaniel.
“At the end of those seasons when you go through that, there’s a lot of things that happen,” Daboll said when asked to relive that chaotic time. “Very respectful to that organization for giving me the opportunity to sit down and talk with them, but really focused on this game.”
The Giants are one game removed from playing San Francisco, where McDaniel worked under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
So, if the offenses are similar, then the Giants should be able to carry over some of their defensive teachings.
“You learn a lot from the guys you work for,” Daboll said. “So, are there some similarities? Sure. But I think he does a great job of adding his twist to it.”