Giants guard Nick Gates suffers scary leg injury on Thursday Night Football

Giants guard Nick Gates suffered a potentially brutal injury against the Washington Football Team.

The New York Giants’ greatest question mark entering the 2021 season was their offensive line. The last thing this team needed, especially in a year where they are expected to make a push for a playoff spot, was an injury to one of their starters.

In the first quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Washington Football Team, interior offensive lineman Nick Gates was on the ground in serious pain following a play. Gates was just named team captain before the season, so this is an especially disturbing injury for the Giants, which already faced an 0-1 start. Gates was carted off the field, but was put in an air cast before being removed. He waved to fans upon his exit.

The video, which is fairly gruesome, can be seen here.

The Giants officially ruled Gates out for the remainder of the game with what has been described as a lower leg fracture.

Giants: Nick Gates carted off field with “lower leg fracture”

Gates joined the Giants organization back in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, where he played all three offensive line positions. Just last year, Gates was signed by the Giants to a two-year, $6.8 million contract extension.

In Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, Gates started at center in the team’s 27-13 loss. But for this game against their NFC East rivals, the 25-year-old was moved over to left guard after Shane Lemieux was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. With that, former Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Billy Price received the start at center.

Given the severity of the injury, Gates’ season is likely over. But, we will continue to update you on his status once a timeline for recovery is provided.