NY Giants vs. NY Jets: John Michael Schmitz ankle injury cause for concern
EAST RUTHERFORD - The Giants are clearly zeroing in on Week 1 with most of their starters expected to be on the sideline Saturday night.
Center John Michael Schmitz, who missed more than a week of practices this summer, is the only starter on the offensive line who will likely play in the preseason finale against the Jets. Can't imagine he'll be out there for more than a series or two with Tommy DeVito at quarterback and Drew Lock dressed in case of emergency.
We won't see Daniel Jones, Malik Nabers and Co. until Sept. 8 when the season opens against the Vikings.
On defense, no starters are expected to play.
Keep checking back for updates throughout the game.
John Michael Schmitz: Ankle injury for starting center
The Giants essentially played one starter on either side of the ball.
That one starter, center John Michael Schmitz, wound up leaving the game with an ankle injury.
Not what you want, although the Giants did not seem too concerned despite time Schmitz spent with Ronnie Barnes and the training staff. He was declared out, but it's likely he would not have played much longer.
Schmitz was only playing because he missed a chunk of time in training camp with a shoulder injury. This was his first game action of the preseason.
Another big night for Elijah Chatman
Statement of the evening so far: undrafted rookie defensive lineman Elijah Chatman came out in sneakers and without his helmet for the national anthem. He joined the rest of the starters and key reserves on the sideline for the Giants, meaning that - barring something unexpected - Chatman has made the initial 53-man roster.
Offensive line: Different sort of continuity
The day before the Giants reported for training camp, they met with veteran offensive lineman Greg Van Roten. They decided then to sign him, and would spent the next week or so working out the details.
Team brass already knew Evan Neal would start camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, so Jermaine Eluemunor was moved from left guard, where he spent the entire spring, to starting right tackle prior to the first practice.
Eluemunor played 17 games at right tackle, next to Van Roten at right guard by the way, in Las Vegas last season.
Andrew Thomas, Eluemunor and Aaron Stinnie (LG and RG) have been on the field for most if not all of camp.
By my count, Thomas has taken every first-team snap this summer with quarterback Daniel Jones, the only two players on offense to do so.
John Michael Schmitz missed eight practices because he wrenched his shoulder, but he's been back in the fold as the starting center for a week now. Starting left guard Jon Runyan tweaked his shoulder in practice two weeks ago, and while he has not yet returned to the lineup, Giants coach Brian Daboll said Thursday he expects him back for Week 1.
So, when it comes to replacing what was one of the worst offensive lines in recent league history last season - and unfortunately that is no exaggeration - the Giants have had a combination of six players essentially out there for every practice since Van Roten got up to speed about a week into camp.
Why does this matter? Because the Giants have not veered far from the plan they put together up front prior to camp, even with injuries to Eluemunor - remember that rib injury on the first day - Schmitz and Runyan.
There has been continuity, even though the offensive line that likely starts against the Vikings has not been together yet this summer.
The expectation is that we see mostly reserves when the Giants meet the Jets in their preseason finale Saturday night.
What time is NY Giants vs. NY Jets game?
Date: Saturday, Aug. 24
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
What channel is NY Giants vs. NY Jets game?
TV channel: CBS, NFL Network (out of market only)
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants vs. NY Jets live updates: Score, TV channel, injury report
