New York Giants offensive lineman Shane Lemieux returned to practice on Monday after missing all but one game in 2021 with an injury to his left knee’s patella tendon.
Guard Shane Lemieux practiced on Monday and participated in team drills. He was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Week 1 last season but appears to be making progress towards being ready for the upcoming season.
Lemieux is a former fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He was a First-Team All-American in 2019 as a member of the Oregon Ducks. Unfortunately for the Giants and Lemieux, he could not continue that success into the NFL where he struggled in his rookie season.
The Oregon alum allowed five sacks in the 2020 season while posting a PFF grade of 32.2 and a pass-blocking PFF grade of 16.9. Lemieux was a serious liability at the left guard position for Big Blue as he allowed 25 pressures all season and contributed to the Giants having one of the worst offensive lines in football.
However, Lemieux was trying to turn things around in 2021 as he was given a second chance at left guard. While it was only 17 plays, Lemieux did not allow one pressure and posted a PFF pass-blocking grade of 81.5 in Week 1. Sadly, this improvement could not continue as Lemieux suffered a season-ending injury in the game and had not seen live-action until now.
With the return of Lemieux, the Giants now have added depth in the interior of the offensive line and have a competition at the left guard position. They will have Max Garcia (a seven-year veteran with 52 career starts) compete with Lemieux for the starting position.
Competition is something that can not hurt and hopefully will help the Giants find improvement.
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