Giants vs. Chiefs: Justin Pugh will miss game
By Matt Conner
The New York Giants will be without right tackle Justin Pugh, who is out with a back injury, when they face the Chiefs on Sunday.
As one Justin is forced to sit, another Justin is likely looking forward to a banner day. New York Giants right tackle Justin Pugh will end up sitting out the team’s upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11 with a back injury that could keep him out for some time, per Ian Rapoport. That’s good news for the Chiefs best defensive player, pass rushing great Justin Houston.
As if the #Giants needed this: RT Justin Pugh is out Sunday vs the #Chiefs with back injury, source said. It’s week-to-week after that and could be a multi-week injury. Not ideal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 15, 2017
Pugh has been a starter for the Giants since he was the team’s first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the same draft that netted the Chiefs Eric Fisher at the top of the draft. He’s shifted from guard to tackle in that time, manning the right tackle spot this year, which only adds to his versatility and ability to help the Giants offensive line.
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With Pugh out, the Giants are missing a valuable piece who can plug into several places and must shift some parts around. Bobby Hart is likely to start opposite Justin Houston, and Hart is currently ranked No. 67 overall among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.
It will be interesting this offseason to see if the Giants make an effort to re-sign him. This injury comes at a bad time given that he’s in a contract year, but he’ll likely make every effort to be back as soon as possible to show he can stay healthy for a team hungry for help along the offensive line.