New York Giants open 2024 camp with mixed news. Malik Nabers is cleared, but Andrew Thomas hits the PUP list. Get the latest on their Week 1 status.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The gates opened for New York Giants training camp on Thursday, and the team immediately delivered a classic dose of good news, bad news. The collective sigh of relief came as star rookie receiver Malik Nabers, after an offseason hampered by a toe injury, was fully cleared to practice. But that exhale was cut short by the news that All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas will begin camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, dealing with a lingering Lisfranc foot injury.
He should be ready for the opener.
The biggest cloud hanging over East Rutherford is the health of Andrew Thomas. While GM Joe Schoen expressed confidence that his star tackle would be back for Week 1, placing him on the PUP list is a significant development. A Lisfranc injury is notoriously tricky, and his absence puts immediate stress on an offensive line that was already a question mark. This development intensifies the ongoing position battles across the line, as the team must now prepare contingency plans. Every rep for the backup tackles has suddenly become critically important.
While the O-line faces uncertainty, the offensive skill positions are buzzing with energy. Seeing Malik Nabers on the field and ready to go is a massive boost. The connection he builds with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson will be the single most-watched dynamic of this camp. Speaking of quarterbacks, the future is also on the field. First-round pick Jaxson Dart began his first NFL camp, and while he's expected to redshirt and learn behind Wilson, every throw will be scrutinized. The competition for the WR2 spot opposite Nabers is officially underway.
It wasn't just Dart making his camp debut. The entire 2025 draft class hit the field, bringing a fresh infusion of talent. All eyes are on defensive end Abdul Carter from Penn State, who is projected to make an immediate impact and inject life into the pass rush. He's joined by a promising group including CB Darius Alexander, RB Cam Skattebo, and TE Thomas Fidone. How quickly this rookie class can acclimate will be a key factor in the team's ability to outperform expectations.
The front office was also busy with roster management on day one. The Giants added veteran depth to the secondary by signing safety K'Von Wallace, a move that provides experience and competition. To make room, safety Anthony Johnson Jr. was waived. The team also placed RB Eric Gray on the PUP list and OLB Victor Dimukeje on the Non-Football Injury list. These moves are typical for the start of camp but show that GM Joe Schoen is constantly evaluating and churning the bottom of the roster to find every possible edge.
Day one is in the books, and the storylines for 2025 are officially set. All eyes will be on Andrew Thomas's recovery, the budding connection between Russell Wilson and Malik Nabers, and the performance of the rookies against the backdrop of the league's toughest schedule. We'll start getting answers as the pads come on, leading up to the first real test on August 9 against the Buffalo Bills. The climb is steep, but for the first time this year, Giants football is back.
