Giants place LT Andrew Thomas on IR with ankle injury

There are handfuls of reasons why the New York Giants dropped five of their first six games to open the 2021 NFL season, including the fact that they've lost multiple offensive linemen to injuries this fall. 

Add another to the list for at least the next few weeks. 

Per Chase Goodbread of the league's website, the Giants placed starting left tackle Andrew Thomas on injured reserve because of the ankle problem he suffered in this past Sunday's 38-11 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Thomas missed the Week 5 defeat at the Dallas Cowboys because of a foot issue. 

Per NFL rules, Thomas will now be sidelined for a minimum of three games and, thus, be out through New York's bye in Week 10. He'll first be eligible to return for the "Monday Night Football" matchup at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 22.  

While Matt Peart previously replaced Thomas up front, Chris Pflum of Big Blue View notes Nate Solder could shift to the line's left side, with Peart playing on the right. 

The Giants (1-5) are widely expected to be sellers ahead of the Nov. 2 trade deadline, to the point where star running back Saquon Barkley could be available to would-be buyers at the right price.