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First, the officials surprised Andrew Thomas by pulling him off the field.
Then, the Giants coaches surprised him by keeping him on the bench.
Thomas, one of the best left tackles in the NFL, didn’t return to the field in the fourth quarter after clearing a concussion evaluation on the sideline ordered by the independent spotter Sunday in a 34-27 loss to the Saints.
“That was interesting,” said Thomas, who is playing through an injured groin despite limited practice time. “The series before, I got up a little slow. When I went out there the next drive, they said I had to do the concussion protocol testing.”
Thomas looked antsy to get back in, but the Giants, who were rallying from a 24-point fourth-quarter deficit, were stuck with rookie J.C. Davis in his first career game.
Thomas did not get an explanation for the change.
“That was the coach’s decision,” Thomas said. “I listen to what the coach says.”
Thomas was not the only injury-related blow dealt to the Giants on Sunday. CB Greg Newsome II suffered a concussion and did not return.
WR Darnell Mooney (neck) was sidelined, leaving the Giants with three healthy receivers.
RG Sisi Mauigoa needed a postgame X-ray on an unspecified body part.
“I’m feeling good,” Mauigoa said, indicating he will be on the field again soon.
RT Jermaine Eluemunor (calf) was a surprise scratch after he was limited in Friday’s practice. Marcus Mbow started in his place.
Jason Pinnock and Ar’Darius Washington rotated at the safety position next to Jevón Holland with Tyler Nubin (neck) sidelined.
Pinnock forced a fumble that turned momentum when the Giants were down 34-10 with about 9:40 left in the fourth quarter.
“It’s in us to come back,” Pinnock said. “We’re more than capable.”
The only game in which a Giants quarterback had more fourth-quarter passing yards than J.J. McCarthy’s 243 on Sunday was when Eli Manning threw for 254 in a 36-25 loss against the Seahawks on Oct. 9, 2011.
McCarthy entered the game with about 11:31 left in the game after Jameis Winston threw his second interception. McCarthy went 11-for-21 with 243 yards passing, 26 rushing yards, a touchdown pass and an interception.