To say the Giants’ offensive line has been beaten up this season would be an understatement.
First came the injuries. Center David Baas missed the season opener with a strained MCL, and guard/tackle David Diehl returned to the practice field Wednesday, following thumb surgery he had last month.
However, while Diehl returned to practice, the injury bug bit again. Baas missed practice with a neck injury, and right guard Chris Snee missed practice with a hip injury.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin is not sure whether either will suit up against the Chiefs on Sunday, saying it was a “day-to-day thing.”
With the Giants shorthanded on the offensive line, the cracks in the unit showed up in last Sunday’s 38-0 loss in Carolina. The Panthers were able to sack quarterback Eli Manning five times in the first quarter, and seven times overall.
The offensive line also has been unable to open holes for the running game, as the Giants have gained only 133 rushing yards through three games — last in the NFL — on an average of 2.7 yards a carry.
Despite the injuries and subpar play, rookie right tackle Justin Pugh said there are brighter days ahead for the beleaguered unit.
“No matter who’s out there, we have to execute and communicate,” Pugh said after practice. “The biggest thing is communicating. Making sure we’re on the same page. Getting Diehl back out there is huge — he’s very vocal.”
The offensive line will face a stiff test in Kansas City, going up against a defense that has generated 15 sacks through three games.
Pugh, however, feels the Giants won’t be totally caught off guard.
“I think it was great in the preseason playing against the Jets,” he said. “It was a similar defense. When we played them, we knew that they probably gave us the most looks we’d see all year. I remember saying that to Snee and