The Giants and Raiders are engaging in tactical warfare ahead of the much-anticipated “Tank Bowl” on Sunday afternoon, as both teams have ruled out several key players.
Big Blue officially placed multiple starters on injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s showdown, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. Among those sidelined are star left tackle Andrew Thomas, center John Michael Schmitz, safety Tyler Nubin, and defensive lineman D. J. Davidson.
To fill these gaps, New York has signed center Bryan Hudson, kicker Ben Sauls, defensive tackle Elijah Chatman, and safety Raheem Layne to the roster. Additionally, the Giants have elevated running back Dante “Turbo” Miller and tight end Zach Davidson from the practice squad.
### Multiple Starters Out on Both Sides of the Ball
Andrew Thomas, the team’s All-Pro left tackle, will not be stepping onto the field due to a hamstring injury. His absence removes a cornerstone of the offensive line, leaving rookie Marcus Mbow to face the Raiders’ edge rushers in one of the league’s most high-stakes, draft-influencing games.
Adding to the Giants’ challenges, starting center John Michael Schmitz is out with a finger injury. With the heart of the offensive line suddenly gone, New York is scrambling to protect quarterback Jaxson Dart and maintain any semblance of a running game.
On defense, the losses are equally crippling. Lineman D. J. Davidson and safety Tyler Nubin are sidelined with neck injuries, leaving significant gaps in coverage and run support that inexperienced backups must fill. The tight end group is also thinner than usual, with Theo Johnson out due to illness and uncertainty surrounding Cor’Dale Flott and Josh Ezeudu. To top it off, star pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux remains sidelined for the season, further depleting the Giants’ defensive firepower.
### Raiders Move Star Defensive End to Injured Reserve
The Giants are not the only team dealing with major injuries. The Raiders moved star edge rusher Maxx Crosby to injured reserve just one day before the game against New York. Although Crosby has been managing lingering injuries and will require offseason surgery, he reportedly disagreed with the decision. Having played through injuries most of the season, he left the facility in protest.
Earlier this week, Crosby addressed the “tanking” narrative, saying, “Yeah, I don’t give a [expletive] about the [No. 1] pick. I don’t play for that. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world.”
In addition to Crosby, the Raiders placed tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn on injured reserve and ruled out starting tackle Kolton Miller earlier this week.
### Suspicion Surrounds Timing of Moves
While there are genuine injury concerns on both sides, the timing of these roster moves has left many fans suspicious of the opposing team’s motives. As the “Tank Bowl” approaches, the absence of so many key players adds an extra layer of intrigue to this high-stakes matchup.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/new-york-giants/place-several-players-ir-tank-bowl/
