Justin Pugh Makes Remarkable Return to New York Giants

Veteran offensive lineman Justin Pugh has made an incredible comeback, going from being unsigned to starting for the New York Giants in just two weeks. Pugh, who was initially signed to the practice squad on October 3, was quickly promoted to the active roster. On Wednesday, he signed a new one-year deal with the Giants, solidifying his place on the team.

Pugh’s return to the field came in the Giants’ 14-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, where he made his season debut. In a memorable moment, Pugh introduced himself during “Sunday Night Football” as “straight off the couch,” emphasizing the rapid turnaround from being a fan to playing for his favorite team. Reflecting on the experience, Pugh expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “If I never played another football game and that was my last one, I could go out like that.”

Although Pugh had limited practice time under his belt, he was tasked with starting at left guard due to the dire state of the Giants’ offensive line. In a twist of fate, he shifted to left tackle when Josh Ezeudu exited the game with a toe injury. Despite his lack of experience at that position, Pugh impressed coach Brian Daboll with his performance. Daboll acknowledged that Pugh did well, especially considering his limited practice as a tackle.

Looking ahead, it is likely that Pugh will continue to play at left tackle since the Giants’ top two options at the position are currently unavailable. All-Pro Andrew Thomas is still recovering from a hamstring injury and did not practice on Wednesday, while Ezeudu was placed on injured reserve. To address the team’s offensive line woes, the Giants recently signed Tyre Phillips and Josh Miles from the Philadelphia Eagles’ and Atlanta Falcons’ practice squads, respectively.

In the midst of Pugh’s remarkable journey, quarterback Daniel Jones also made significant progress in his recovery from a neck injury. After missing the previous game, Jones returned to practice, participating in individual drills. However, he has not yet been cleared for contact. While Tyrod Taylor is expected to start against the Washington Commanders this Sunday, there is optimism that Jones will be back on the field this season.

For Pugh, this marks his second stint with the Giants since being drafted by the team in 2013. After tearing his ACL while playing for the Arizona Cardinals last October, Pugh found himself back in New York, initially joining the practice squad. The original plan was for Pugh to spend two weeks on the practice squad to regain game readiness and reassess his health before adjusting his contract. However, due to the Giants’ urgent need for reinforcements on the offensive line, Pugh quickly found himself starting at left guard and later shifting to left tackle during the game against the Bills.

Despite the challenges and unexpected circumstances, Pugh performed admirably in his first game back, showing resilience and determination. While there were some initial hiccups, including a sack and early false starts, Pugh settled down and improved as the game progressed. Reflecting on his experience, Pugh described it as the “craziest thing” he has ever done in football. At 33 years old and coming off a serious injury, Pugh’s return to the gridiron is truly remarkable.

As Pugh continues to showcase his skills and contribute to the Giants’ offensive line, the team hopes to benefit from his experience and leadership. With his remarkable journey from “straight off the couch” to starting for the Giants, Pugh’s story serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination required to succeed in the NFL.