Giants without Thomas in 40-37 OT loss to Cowboys amid penalties

Andrew Thomas, the New York Giants star left tackle rehabbing from Lisfranc surgery, sat out Wednesday practice as the team prepared for Sunday’s road game against the Dallas Cowboys, and ultimately did not play, leaving the Giants to endure a chaotic early collapse on the line that helped derail their effort in a 40-37 overtime loss in Arlington, Texas. Coach Brian Daboll characterized Thomas’ Wednesday absence as part of a controlled rehabilitation plan, saying the team hoped to see him practice the next two days, but Thomas remained inactive for the game.

Daboll told reporters earlier in the week that Thomas had been making steady progress since undergoing surgery last October and that “he feels better” week to week. The left tackle missed the entire preseason and had not appeared in a game in 11 months. His absence forced the Giants to start James Hudson III at left tackle, a move that quickly backfired. Hudson was flagged four times on the opening drive, including two unnecessary roughness penalties and two false starts, and surrendered a sack. Coaches benched Hudson after the sequence and inserted rookie Marcus Mbow at left tackle.

Television coverage noted the rarity of...