Giants coach Ben McAdoo admitted today that guard Justin Pugh will “miss a little time” with a knee sprain, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY (Twitter link), who adds that a source says Pugh could miss two-to-four weeks.
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New York’s offensive line has produced disparate results this season depending on the situation — while the unit ranks third in adjusted sack rate, the Giants’ front five places just 28th in adjusted line yards, Football Outsiders‘ run-blocking metric. Big Blue did inquire on potential reinforcements heading into last week’s trade deadline, going as far as to express interest in Browns left tackle Joe Thomas. Ultimately, though, the club stood pat and will likely look to internal options to replace Pugh at left guard for the time being.
Filling in for Pugh is no easy task, however, given that Pro Football Focus ranks him as the single best guard in the NFL thus far in 2016. Bobby Hart, who had been playing right tackle while Marshall Newhouse was sidelined, will slide to the interior to cover for Pugh’s absence. New York currently has three offensive lineman — Adam Gettis, Laurence Gibson, and Jon Halapio — on its practice squad, and one of that trio figures to get a call up in the near future.