New York Giants starting center John Michael Schmitz suffered an ankle injury during Friday night’s final preseason game against the New York Jets. The injury occurred during the team’s first offensive drive when Schmitz was rolled up on during a failed fourth-and-one play. After being evaluated by the medical staff on the sidelines, he was ruled out for the rest of the game due to the ankle injury.
Although Schmitz being sidelined for the rest of the preseason finale may not directly reflect the severity of the injury, it raises concerns given his recent history. Schmitz was the only projected offensive starter to play in the game, as most of the other starters were rested.
This injury adds to a worrisome trend for Schmitz in his second NFL season. He had already missed over a week of training camp due to a shoulder injury earlier this year. Last season, as a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Schmitz and the rest of the offensive line struggled. According to Pro Football Focus, Schmitz allowed 30 total pressures and five sacks, ranking fifth-highest among NFL centers.
The extent of Schmitz’s ankle injury is still unknown, but with about two weeks before the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, the Giants will be monitoring his recovery closely. If Schmitz is unable to play, veteran Greg Van Roten would likely step in as the starting center. The Giants would also need to consider whether to keep a third center, potentially choosing between Austin Schlottman and Jimmy Morrissey, before finalizing their roster.
