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Brian Daboll joked that he took a photo to mark the moment.
Due to various injuries, the Giants’ projected starting offensive line finally practiced as a whole for the first time since the start of training camp on Tuesday.
“(Daboll) did it in practice today, it was kind of hilarious,” starting left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “Glad to have guys back. We needed these practices. I think we have seven or eight more practices before the first game. So we need to get as many in as we can.”
After the Giants allowed 85 sacks last season — the most in the NFL since 1986 — the team signed veteran left guard Jon Runyan and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor as free agents and added right guard Greg Van Roten early in training camp to complement Thomas and second-year center John Michael Schmitz.
Thomas, who missed seven games last season after being named to the All-Pro second team in 2022, believes the team has enough time to resume play before the season opener on Sept. 8 against the Vikings.
“I think so. I think we have a pretty good room with a lot of veteran guys, which I think helps,” Thomas said. “John Michael, this is his second year in the system, so I think he’s going to do a good job for us.”
Asked if he noticed the team hadn’t practiced together before, Thomas responded: “I noticed it. That’s the nature of this team, guys get hurt and we need guys to fill in for us. … We have some experienced guys that have played a lot of games in this league, so I think we’re going to have a good roster.”
Former first-round pick Evan Neal missed most of training camp due to injury and will begin the season as a backup.
Thomas and Daniel Jones were named offensive captains, Dexter Lawrence and Bobby Okereke were named defensive captains, and long-distance shooter Casey Kreiter was named special teams captain.
The Giants already have 10 captains named for the start of the 2023 season.
“Every year is a different year. Every team is a new team. I think what works best for our team this year is the five captains,” Okereke said. “These are great players with different leadership styles, different experiences and wisdom, and I think we’re going to do well.”
Returner Gunner Olszewski, linebackers Micah McFadden, Matthew Adams and D’yontae Johnson worked out with the coaches.
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