Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: Everyone who can play will play?

DABOLL: We'll talk about that after practice today.

Q: Anyone coming back to practice today? (Tackle) Andrew Thomas?

DABOLL: Yeah, we've got a number of guys that are coming back.

Q: (Wide Receiver) Malik (Nabers)? Who's coming back?

DABOLL: Yeah, that's two of them that you just mentioned that are coming back.

Q: So, Andrew Thomas will be in taken off PUP (physically unable to perform)?

DABOLL: Correct. (linebacker Demetrius) Flannigan-Fowels will do some stuff today, Malik will, (tight end Chris) Manhertz, (tight end) Belly (Daniel Bellinger), AT, (running back) Skatt (Cam Skattebo), (cornerback Tre) Hawkins, (safety K'Von) Wallace.

Q: They'll all return today?

DABOLL: Yeah, they will all be doing something out there. We'll be in full pads today. I know it's a short turnaround and we've got a game on Thursday, but I think it's important to take advantage of these days.

Q: Is this always kind of the target area you had for Andrew Thomas, now that you can tell us in hindsight?

DABOLL: Today was the day that we were planning on working to get him back towards. We'll take it slow, but the trainers did a really good job and AT's done a nice job. We'll just keep building him.

Q: The way this sets up and then you have the game on Thursday, but the schedule in between, I know it wasn't always like that, but you've got a lot of time. Did you put a lot of thought, strategically as a coaching staff, as to how you're going to handle the next two weeks and how you set yourselves up with off days and everything else?

DABOLL: Yeah, we've talked about that and put together a plan, but really this camp we've just been taking it day by day and doing the things we think we need to do. Whether we make it pads, pull off, do a walk through, we'll just continue to do that. Keep focusing on us and the things that we need to keep working on and we'll see where we are after the game.

Q: Does the fact that you play the (New England) Patriots in the regular season impact anything about this game?

DABOLL: No, look, we've got some guys we still want to take a look at and that'll be important. This week leading up to the cuts is an important week for a lot of people. It's also a tough week for a lot of people. I think you have empathy towards a lot of these guys that have done everything they could do since they've been here, starting in the OTAs, training camp, all the rehab, the workouts, all those type of things. There's decisions to be made and we'll make those decisions, but I know it's weighing probably on a lot of guys. It always does every year. Again, you have some empathy towards that, but you've got to do what's best for your team. We'll do that for this game and take care of next week, next week.

Q: Specific to the wide receiver room, all those guys can do after the top three, is make it hard on you. Do you feel like a lot of those guys have made the 53 decision hard on you in the receiver room?

DABOLL: I wouldn't just say the receiver room. I think everybody's put everything they had into it and are continuing to put everything they got into it. You have the 53, you have the 16 or 17 with the practice squad guys. Decisions aren't made yet. There's still today and this game and a lot of discussions to be had, but everybody's done a good job for our football team in trying to put their best foot forward.

Q: With Andrew Thomas, how much is it a matter of just getting in shape, football shape, and how do you do that if it's a tight timeline for the preseason game? It would seem like that would be a stretch at this point.

DABOLL: Yeah, I think, again, the trainers have done an outstanding job with him. And AT has. This is just the next step of it, so we'll just take it day by day. We'll give him some reps, whether it's individual, and then we build him up, but there's a plan in place.

Q: I know we asked you about (defensive lineman Elijah) Chatman the other day, just the idea of playing some fullback. I get the sense from talking to some of the coaches that if it were a novelty, not everybody would necessarily be buying in, but that this isn't a novelty, that you guys believe in the player and can actually help you guys as a team in that spot. I would imagine that it was important to you when you guys got together in the spring and said, is this something we really want to do or let's just not bother?

DABOLL: Yeah, the first thing to do is just go back and really watch him a little bit and credit the offensive staff for putting together a tape. I think you try to create value for players. If you're not a starting player, what else can you do to help? There's a number of guys, not necessarily position changes, but maybe play other spots, not from offense to defense, so that's important for everybody that's not a starter.

Q: Is that coming back a little bit, that lead blocking fullback was big and then it was nowhere? Do you see a little bit, either it's with a tight end or fullback or not really?

DABOLL: I think it's probably coach to coach. A lot of it depends on the quarterback, too, and some of the stuff you run with it. The fullback, you can create an extra gap or two gaps, if you will, in running plays. It's just a matter of if you think that's going to help you out for that particular game. But to give guys an opportunity to do some things, to see maybe they can help you in other areas, I think that's important.

Q: What's it been like to have four quarterbacks this summer? I know you've had it in the past, but there are probably two veterans, a rookie and a (quarterback) Tommy (DeVito) who's also started. What's that been like this summer and how has Tommy handled being the guy that's last in line to get the reps?

DABOLL: Like a true pro. Those guys come in, they go to work, it's a good meeting room. They've done a nice job on the practice field. They've done a nice job in the games. It's been a good room to work with.

Q: Are you confident that whoever ends up being the starter between (corner Deonte) Banks and (cornerback Cor'Dale) Flott will have grabbed the job and earned it? You have to name someone, either because they won the job or just, okay, we need to pick one, we'll pick him?

DABOLL: Yeah, look, those guys have been competing. I have confidence in both of them.

Q: Is there a potential rotation? I mean, in an ideal world, do you want one?

DABOLL: Yeah, we'll just take it day by day here. These guys have been doing everything we've asked them to do and competing at a high level.

Q: Who won't be out there?

DABOLL: You know I'm not going to get into the injuries.

Q: What do you make of (wide receiver) Jalin Hyatt's training camp? I know he missed some time, but he came back.

DABOLL: Yeah, missed some time. I thought we had him on a rep count there for the last game and he did what he needed to do. Ran a couple good routes, had a play backed up there. Again, this week will be important for a lot of guys.

Assistant General Manager Brandon Brown

Q: It seems like every year you've come in here and we ask you in this presser what the waiver draft is going to be like and that kind of thing. Is it a different feel this year for you guys, the way your roster is built and the fact that you've been here for a while, that maybe the focus is on different things at this time of year? Or is it kind of the same bat story for this front office as far as what the next week holds?

BROWN: When you look at the cut down scenario, our process is never going to change. Obviously, we're third in the claim order, but our needs are different than they were in year one when we had heavy claims and were more so purging the roster. Now, we're always trying to canvas where we can make incremental improvements. If you look at roster spots, call it 46 to 53, where there is opportunity for improving and creating competition on the back end, whether it's a special teams role, whether it's a depth role, whether it's a depth versatility role, multi-position flex. And as we get out of this next game, figuring out where our guys stack, versus the other 31 clubs and what they have to offer on the waiver wire and then seeing what the best combination is for us going into that first week.

Q: You guys were super high, obviously you traded up for (wide receiver) Jalin Hyatt, you guys were super high on him. Why do you think he hasn't put it together yet and do you still think that's coming?

BROWN: I'm excited for Jalin. He's put in the work. The biggest thing that's evident with him is getting his weight up. I think the relationship with him and (quarterback) Russ (Wilson) is really going to be an opportunity to unlock him. When you look at what Jalin can do just in terms of if you're playing single high coverage and he's got the ability to take the top off and keep the secondary honest, Russ's ability to throw the deep ball as evident in the last preseason game, that's a connection they've been working on. And the nice part is as soon as Russ got here, he was very emphatic in saying that Jalin reminds him of certain guys that he had back in the Seattle (Seahawks) days that could be quick strike, explosive play guys where they only need three to four to five touches to be impactful in the game. So that relationship has been really good. Russ has been great in terms of the mentorship with Jalin, keeping his spirits high and proud of Jalin. He's working. He never has gotten down on himself. He knows it's a constant grind and he knows the talent he has. He's just frustrated, and he knows what we put into him in terms of trading up and he wants to put a return on that investment.

Q: From the personnel side, how do you feel about the quarterback room? It's obviously a very different room. You have two veterans, first round pick that you drafted and then (quarterback) Tommy (DeVito), a guy you've worked with now for three years.

BROWN: When you look at the quarterback room, it's completely different for the most part. In our off-season planning between (senior vice president, general manager) Joe (Schoen), (head coach Brian Daboll) Dabs, (assistant head coach, offensive coordinator) Kafka, (offensive passing game coordinator, quarterbacks coach) Shea (Tierney), we were very intentional in terms of getting the right pieces and creating the right environment, one, for a young quarterback to grow in terms of Jaxson, but also to win on the field. When you look at Russ, Russ' relationship with Shea goes back to their days at NC State. So there is already a rapport there. You throw (quarterback) Jameis (Winston) in the fold, can't really put into words how impactful Jameis has been from the locker room standpoint. I know you guys see him around and he has the funny sound bites, but his work ethic has been great for Jaxson, whether it's doing late-night yoga inside the weight room, mobility, meditation, all those things. It's really been great for a young quarterback to grow and also just to see someone who has had a perspective outside this building on how to prep and be a pro.

Q: You just raved about Jameis. His name keeps coming up everywhere, though, like a potential trade candidate. Do you view him as like he has a role here no matter what, or do you listen just based on where you guys are at that position?

BROWN: I appreciate people that are interested, but Jameis is a New York Giant. With the way that he's gone about his business from day one, he's made it very intentional with the fact that he wants to be here and he wants to be here for the long haul. Teammates love him, his preparation process, whether it's the off-field things that he does in terms of community relations, Bible study, things in the locker room, galvanizing the group together, not just the quarterback room, but the offense as a whole. He's been comic relief, but he's also been a really good example of how to be a pro in handling your business in terms of prehab, rehab, postgame care. So, I'm happy he's here, and he's going to continue to do those things. He hasn't wavered and he hasn't been shaken by any distractions at all.

Q: (Cornerback) Deonte (Banks) was another guy that you guys were high on, and I don't think we've seen the best out of him yet. How do you get the best out of a guy like that?

BROWN: When you look at what Deonte has done from year one to year two, I think when you look at the same, I call it, chemistry from adding force multipliers, it was very intentional from us in terms of adding, when you look at (safety) Jevón Holland, (cornerback) Paulson Adebo. That secondary room, not just Deonte who's very young, between (cornerback Cor'Dale) Flott, (safety Tyler) Nubin, (cornerback) Dru Phillips, and Tae, they're all 24 years and younger. Adding in a Jevón Holland, a Paulson Adebo, guys who are still young in terms of being 26, but have just a workman type approach that can help the work habits that Tae's started to adopt, as well as our new coaches. (Secondary coach/pass game coordinator) Marquand Manuel has been instrumental in terms of the approach of looking back for the ball, refining the press technique, and just certain things that Tae wasn't used to doing at Maryland, and then it's different going from our old scheme to (defensive coordinator) Shane's (Bowen) new scheme. We're excited for Tae. He's met the challenge. Dabs has heightened the accountability measures for that room, and we expect return. He's had a good camp, and it's really just not taking the foot off the pedal. It's constant competition every day, and nothing's going to be given to him.

Q: What does that mean, 'heightened the accountability measures?'

BROWN: You have to practice the way you play. It doesn't matter where you were drafted. The best production is going to lead who plays, and Dabs has been very clear about that, and we wholeheartedly support that. Yes, we put investment in the guys, but the best players are going to play, and it's not just going to be a game day thing. It's how you prepare. It's how you practice.

Q: When you're talking about that, though, obviously we know Tae is a first-round pick, but it's not like you're bringing a street-free agent in to compete with him. Flott was a relatively high pick, a second-day pick for you guys. How have you liked his development and where he's at? I know he's one of the youngest guys in his draft class, but coming along, I've got to imagine it's one of those things where whoever wins that competition, if the other guy is still competing, it's a pretty good win for this team overall.

BROWN: You hit it. It's depth regardless of who wins a position battle. Flott's been able to be a Swiss Army Knife for us. He can play on the outside, he can play some inside nickel. We can do situational matchups, whether it's a certain flavor receiver that we're going against that Tae's going to match up with, with his height, weight and speed ability. Flott has high IQ. There are certain things that each guy does well, and it's our job to maximize and put them in the right position to be successful. And when you look at what Flott's done in terms of from year one to now, he's got his weight up. There's been situations where coming in light, being a young guy coming out of LSU, there's been some situations where he's had to really battle being a physical guy at a lighter weight. Now he's got a little bit more armor on him and just consistency. Again, the accountability measure is up. Neither one of those guys wants to miss practice. It's almost an iron sharpens iron scenario where every time they have a good rep, the next guy is cheering for them, but they know they have to step their game up and produce another good rep themselves. It's been a really good, spirited competition and we know however it shakes out we're going to have great depth.

Q: What is it about this roster that gives you overall a better feeling about how to see the end results for this season?

BROWN: When you talk about the roster, the biggest thing you can point to is the depth we have, the versatility we have. Look at the offseason construction. There was an emphasis on rush and coverage. Rush and coverage is going to age well and lend to an identity. Whether it's adding (outside linebacker) Abdul (Carter), adding (defensive lineman) Chauncey Golston in free agency. We talked about adding Jevón Holland and Paulson Adebo, creating more turnovers on the back end along with getting after the quarterback. I just think what Russ has been able to do from a leadership standpoint on the offensive side of the ball, there's been a young group that's been able to mature with him. He can speak from having a championship pedigree, being in these high-pressure situations, and not just someone who's talking about it, he's lived it, and he's bringing guys along. Along with, he's playing for legacy, and at the same time too, he's helping develop the young guys that are around him in all the other position rooms.

Q: The key to this team has always been the O-line. Where do you see that right now?

BROWN: Getting (tackle) A.T. (Andrew Thomas) back has been a big thing. I know you guys see him out there today, and he's going to be an anchor for us. Just the strides that (center) JMS (John Michael Schmitz Jr.) has taken, his hand placement being better. Getting a healthy (guard) Jon Runyon Jr. Then just look at the depth we've been able to create in terms of bringing in (offensive lineman) Marcus Mbow, bringing back some more guys from last year, (guard) GVR (Greg Van Roten) being really the straw that stirs the drink from the character morale standpoint. Doing a lot of the off-field things that aren't seen, from the O-line dinners to the extra film sessions. He's been really the torchbearer in that group that carries a heavy voice. The synergy is really cool to see. Even (offensive lineman) James Hudson, when you see the physical nature that he plays with, it becomes infectious. He plays with, I call it, that controlled aggression. Where you see it from him, you see it from Marcus Mbow, and a lot of those guys that are around him, they know, hey, this is the kind of brand of ball we want to play, and it spreads to that room.

Q: Where is (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) in his development from when you brought him in to where do you think he'd be?

BROWN: The process for Jaxson has been really clearly laid out from all the touch points we had with him through the spring. We knew what we were getting. It was playing to his strengths right now. Whether it's playing with pace, his ability, you've seen it last preseason game, to manipulate his arm slots in the screen game, throw with touch, and just improving on the other nuances of the fundamentals. Obviously, our offense is not the easiest, but what he's able to do in terms of on the daily to get tutelage from Russ and Jameis, we can bring him along at the right, call it pace, where we don't have to force him into scenarios that he's not comfortable with. And you see it from OTAs to minicamp to early training camp to the preseason games. It's just a comfort. The game is slowing down for him, and I just think from the rhythm and pace that he's playing with and the tempo that we're able to push, it all lends to his strong suits. Then really having been able to even unlock all the athleticism that he has as a runner. You don't see a lot of the RPO and things of that nature that he's able to do as well. So, we're excited to continue to progress and develop him. Dabs, Kafka, Shea, they all have a plan, and it's right on pace. We're happy with where he's at, and he's encouraged. Guys cling to him. We talked about it last time. He's got a kind of swagger and aura and element to him that he's the everyman. He can connect with the skill guys, to the linemen, to the receivers, to the DBs, and it doesn't matter old, young, or vet. He's got that cool way about him that guys cling to.

Q: (Guard)Evan Neal's development, just kind of how have you seen him take to being right guard now, and just how has his growth been?

BROWN: The biggest thing with Evan is what he's done from a balance perspective. At tackle, obviously, when he moves inside, the games happen a little bit quicker for him. In terms of re-biting or re-fitting his hands, that's constant work from a technique standpoint. But especially playing with better hand placement on contact, better balance, anchoring, being able to keep the interior firm. Those are things that Evan's been able to do, but we need to continue to progress him from not just creating the line of scrimmage, but just adjusting laterally in pass protection, being able to adjust for his counters. A lot of the things in space where a man at his size, it's a little bit more difficult for him, but keep him progressing from a technique standpoint. (Offensive line coach) Carm (Bricillo) and (assistant offensive line coach) James (Ferentz) have poured into him, and Evan's taken to it. He's been all on board with the change, and he just wants to help the team any way he can. He wants to be the best version of himself. He knows nothing's going to be given to him, regardless of draft status. He's working every day in terms of just the technique, correcting his flaws, whether it's watching other guys on film, picking up tips and trades from guys like GVR and some of the vets, and then working on his timing. And I think when you look at the combo blocks, that's one thing he's done a better job with is coming off with his departure angles and fitting up his combo blocks with good timing. So, Evan is going to continue to grow, and he's fighting.

Q: You all did so much work on Jaxson leading into the draft, but what's something you've learned about him since he got here that you either didn't know or that you didn't know to this degree?

BROWN: Yeah, that's a good question. With Jaxson, we put so much time into him in the pre-draft process, there really haven't been any surprises. But I think the cool thing is seeing the way he preps in real time. I mean, he squeezes all the juice out of any type of methods. Whether it's creating voice notes for himself, finding little incremental times where we may be on the bus, and he's creating voice notes for himself, and listening back to him on his headphones, always just trying to time to get better. The little things, I didn't know he was a yoga guy, and him and Jameis do extra mobility things in the weight room late at night. We have a nightly walk-through at 6 p.m., and he's in there at 7:30 p.m. with Jameis. The everyman aspect, that was expected. We knew the magnetic personality he had, his work ethic, but just the little wrinkles in terms of how that work ethic has materialized has been really cool to see.

Q: We ask Kafka all the time about his experience with (Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick) Mahomes sitting on the bench. You were there when (Philadelphia Eagles quarterback) Jalen Hurts was drafted. What was that experience like as it relates to Jaxson? He sat on the bench for a while. The plan there, did it get accelerated at all with Jalen because of how he was performing? What do you remember about that?

BROWN: When you look at the process of, call it 'developing the quarterback,' seeing it from a different lens on the bench I think is critical. Not being forced to be in the game and play and take those live reps before you're ready for it. You may be ready at a time before you hit the field, but when you can see a perspective, okay, how does the play come into the game? How does sudden change work? When you have to deal with everything that goes on before the ball is snapped at the line of scrimmage, from different cadence, working with the center, coverage that is disguised, and how you're adjusting to it. I think having that lens of being at that bird's eye view with the OC (offensive coordinator), the quarterback coach, the head coach, depending on who your head coach is, that can tell you in real time, 'this is what we're doing, and this was the right read, this is the secondary read,' and learning on the fly versus being thrown in the bath water before you're ready. And it's not saying you don't have that same approach because Jaxson's going to approach every practice, every game as if he's going to play, but it's having the ability to see the different lens of how the game's going, and it's slowing down for him. When it's time to play when he's ready, he's able to do that with the utmost confidence because he takes these secondhand reps from being the guy that's seeing it from the bird's eye view, and it was the same way with Jalen. You pluck him in the game now, and they've envisioned themselves making these plays. They've envisioned the coverage reads, and they've gone through a cycle that's different than college. In college, you're not having the same type of rigorous looks, rigorous plays that you have to go through. Some of the verbiage is minimal in college based on what they're asked to do there versus what they're asked to do when they get to our level. So that whole total package is what sitting can allow you to really accomplish and get that comfort level.

Q: How has your role evolved since you got here? Like what more is on your plate now as far as daily and big-picture responsibilities compared to when you first arrived as assistant GM?

BROWN: The good thing about, when you ask that question about the role changing, I'm forever grateful and fortunate for Joe (Schoen), just the way he's treated me in this role. He always says, 'hey, if I ever get sick, get hit by a bus, I want the show to never stop rolling and you're privileged to everything.' Whether I'm in a meeting with him, whether it's a debrief, whether it's a prep, we're going through these things hand-in-hand where I know that doesn't happen everywhere, where I'm really fortunate for Joe. This offseason, we were able to add a new sports nutritionist, redo our player development department, hiring player development VP, and also player engagement director. Then at the same time, making changes to our sports performance department. Joe being so open in terms of sharing ideas and inclusion in the process, and I know that doesn't happen everywhere, but the fact that he's pulled back the curtain for me and allows me to be hand-in-hand with him, it's been a process that started when we got here, and it hasn't changed. Every year, it has its own different challenges and different requirements, and he's brought me along the way with him.

Q: You've told us stories in the past about scouting some of these off-the-beaten-path guys, and you've got a couple with (running back)Turbo (Dante Miller) and (defensive lineman Elijah) Chapman who have really picked up steam over the last couple of weeks. I don't know if you want to talk both, but what have you seen from those guys, and is there satisfaction to see from the scouting process to now where they are in the NFL?

BROWN: The development of our young guys, one, hats off to our college department for identifying them. Two, our pro scouting department that's very instrumental on really having an influence on which guys are on practice squad. We treat our practice squad like a triple-A program. It's our pipeline, and we want guys that are on the practice squad in year one to be able to push for a roster spot in year two or contribute in some facet in year one. When you look at Turbo, the way that we acquired him, he had an eligibility waiver issue at South Carolina. We had our scouts that were convicted on the talent, saw him at Columbia, knew that he had rare speed. He's a 10.2 (seconds) 100-meter guy. He has speed that just doesn't roll out of bed. Not everyone can duplicate the speed that Turbo has. With him, the work on the practice squad last year, his hands have improved incrementally. You guys have seen it the first two games in terms of in the preseason, in the screen game. The explosiveness and speed were always there, but the route running, the hands, the hand-eye coordination, the run after catch, that's all things that have been a work in progress. So, hats off to our college guys in identifying him and our pro guys standing on the table to develop him on the practice squad. Along with Elijah, we talked about Elijah's background last year. Some of the moonlighting fullback stuff that you guys see, that was identified by our college guys at SMU. It's not the way that he lives and makes his money, but it's an additive and a versatility piece that he's able to do. Whether it's special teams, whether it's fullback, adding into his mainstay at defensive line. Those are things that make him unique, and I think the guys this year, we look at a (wide receiver) Beaux Collins, a guy who's a highly decorated high school player. He's 6'3", with almost an 80-inch wingspan and a 38-inch vertical, and he's a guy that had the injury bug through college, but he was able to string together at two different programs a high level of aptitude of learning two different systems, and there was enough flashes for our guys to like him. And you're starting to see those flashes now with us. You saw it in the last game, catching the deep ball from Russ, and he's been a pro's pro everywhere he's been, and he's kind of built those calluses up from early career injuries and come out on the other side. So, that's another anecdote of our college guys identifying a player, seeing the traits that aren't very common, and believing in our position coaches, and really that collaborative process of our position coaches fighting for a guy, wanting to develop him, and then also getting him in the building, and then really our pro guys, you know, saying, 'hey, where does this guy fit in terms of challenging for a roster spot, or can we see him at some point in year one, year two, knocking on the door to contribute in a certain way?'

Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas

Q: When you were going through this whole process, when was your target to get activated?

THOMAS: When we spoke about it a few months ago, we had kind of like a rough draft of when we want to be back and obviously, that's fluid based on how I feel and how I respond, but we had conversations about it, talking to all the doctors and trainers and just figuring out that I'm in a good spot and decided to activate.

Q: Do you feel like this gives you enough time to be fully ramped up and ready to go Week 1?

THOMAS: I'm just going one day at a time. I can't really predict that right now. You should see the progress that I've made in the last few weeks. We don't know where it will end up, but I'm just trying to do what I can to do to be back.

Q: How excited are you just to get to this point?

THOMAS: It feels great. I was joking about it with the training staff earlier today and on our cards, they have like a date for like when you first started and I looked down and it was like 310 days consecutive of training and trying to get right. So, it's been a long time and I'm grateful to be back out there. I know I'm not all the way back practicing with everyone, but to get something in today, it felt good.

Q: What's it been like to rehab the foot? Is there anything you have to keep an eye on as you move forward here?

THOMAS: It's a tough injury to come back from, especially for bigger guys and obviously in your mind, you want to be out there as soon as possible but it always doesn't work like that. I'm just trying to be grateful for what I do have and the progress that I've made and continue to keep a positive mindset.

Q: One has nothing to do with the other, but you've had a couple major injuries these last couple of years. Do you do anything different this season to try to stay on the field for 17 games?

THOMAS: Just like you're a student of the game, I'm always trying to figure out how to take a better set or be a better run blocker, it's the same thing off the field. So, it's doing different things, trying to do new things. It's hard to tell because the season is so long. There is so many factors that go into being healthy, but obviously, I'm trying to do my due diligence to be out there for all of them.

Q: What's it like for your teammates to support you?

THOMAS: It's great. They've been amazing. Obviously, they would love to have me out there but they're supporting me. They understand what it's like and I'm trying to be there for them as well.

Q: Do you have like a practice rep count that you're trying to get to before playing in a game?

THOMAS: We haven't discussed that just yet. Like I said, just day at a time. Today was indy and I did some more running stuff on the side with the training staff so I guess we'll progress from there and see how it goes.

Q: You've done this before. When you get to a certain point, you almost run out of practices in the summer. So, I would imagine that you were conscious of that but you almost want to put it out of your head too because you don't want to put yourself on a clock. Is that a balance that's difficult to have even if you know the reality of the situation?

THOMAS: Yeah, it's tough. I think for an offensive lineman, muscle memory is a real thing but you're always trying to get better and there's nothing like a full speed rep in practice or joint practice, preseason, whatever it is. That's something that's hard to mimic but like you said, if I focus on that and not necessarily my foot being healthy, getting reps when I'm not myself, it won't help the team so just trying to do my best to get back to 100%.

Q: What are your thoughts on getting ready for the season without having the preseason available to you?

THOMAS: Just a day-by-day approach. Like I said, this is the most I've done in a long time today. I thought it went well today, so we'll continue to build. We haven't really discussed weeks in advance yet, but I'm just doing my best to be ready when I'm ready.

Q: Does it matter to you if you don't get any preseason time then you're just going to have to go out there and prepare without it?

THOMAS: Honestly, this is my first time experiencing this, missing training camp. I don't know exactly how I respond to that, but I'm just trying to take as many mental reps as I can. Like I said, there's nothing to replicate a full-speed rep, a full-speed bull rush and things of that nature, but I think if my body is healthy, I can react and be a good player.

Q: What are your thoughts on blocking for (quarterback) Russell Wilson?

THOMAS: It's exciting. One of the best quarterbacks of our generation. He's won the whole thing before, so he knows what it looks like. Obviously, we have some talented guys around, and I'm sure he can get the ball to them so it's exciting to have him there. He's brought great leadership. Just that whole quarterback room, I think they've all done a good job, at least so far. Obviously, it counts on game day, so we've got to put it together. I think the offensive line has done a great job so far protecting the quarterback and opening up run lanes. We've just got to continue to do that.

Q: How does your foot just feel right now? Can you tell you're coming back from something still?

THOMAS: A few months ago, when I would go through a rehab day, it would be sore continuously two or three days after. The thing that's encouraging is I've been doing more each and every day, and I recover a lot better. I think that's a good sign. There's obviously some soreness that you will deal with. Speaking to the surgeons and things that I may just say, with this type of injury, that's something you just have to deal with, especially after the first year. I'm just trying to work through it.

Q: During your rehab, have you been able to simulate anything close to the pressure of what your foot will absorb when you have to anchor?

THOMAS: I would say today was that first opportunity, doing individual, actually hitting somebody who's 300 pounds, working on double teams and things like that. Like I said, I haven't taken a full-speed game rep, which I think is hard to replicate, but I think that was progress today, and we'll keep building and see where it goes.

Q: Have you talked to any bigger guys who've had this injury and how have they recovered from it?

THOMAS: Yeah, I talked to (former Giants center) Shaun O'Hara about it because he had a similar injury. It's the same thing – I feel like everyone's surgeon is different, because it's like with a Lisfranc (injury), where they put the screws in, that all matters and for him, he told me that his broke and there's different complications. I think it's just a tough injury for bigger guys. He said it bothered him throughout the next year, but just managing it, trying to stay on top of it with the rehab and stuff like that, the strengthening of the foot and the arch of things like that to make it through the season.

Q: Where are you at in terms of the playbook?

THOMAS: Yeah, I'm always really engaged. I'm just trying to speak when I can to help out the younger guys. I've been in the system for a minute. There's always changes that (head coach Brian Daboll) Dabs and (assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka) Kaf are making, trying to get the edge on people, but I understand the basics and I understand my spot, so I think I'll be okay in that area.

Q: When you see what (linebacker) Abdul Carter's done, are you like I want my turn against him?

THOMAS: For sure. When you see someone that's talented, you want to go against that every day.

He's getting better. I think (outside linebackers coach) Charlie (Bullen)'s done a great job with the whole outside linebackers the room. I think everyone is taking a step, and that's better for us up front. We get to see that every day. It's going to make us better.

Q: And then (quarterback Jaxson) Dart?

THOMAS: Oh, he's done a great job as well. I think he's been decisive, aggressive. He has a little swagger about him that I like, so hopefully he continues to progress.

Q: How have you liked what (offensive lineman) James Hudson's brought in?

THOMAS: I would say, first, the mentality that he plays with. I think as an offensive lineman, you need a little bit of that grit to you, and I think he definitely brings that. He's super-duper athletic. He can move any type of run block you need, cut off the backside, reach. Really good player, and I like what he's done for us so far.

Q: The feeling around the team from guys who've been here is that the vibe is different. What's the vibe? What do you sense about where you guys are headed?

THOMAS: I think there's some truth to that. I think there's a lot of buy-in, but you really don't know the character of a team until you hit adversity. We've got to put it on film when it counts. I think we're moving in the right direction. Like I said, when we're faced with our opponent and adversity, that's when you'll see who we really are.

Q: How about another rookie, (offensive lineman Marcus) Mbow? What have you seen from him?

THOMAS: Mbow's doing a great job for us so far, really athletic. He always has an open ear trying to learn, whether that's (offensive lineman) Jermaine (Eluemunor) or me or James, just trying to get better as a player. He seems eager to learn. He has that same grit, too, that I was talking about with Hud before. He likes to finish blocks, and I think that's good.

Q: What has it been like just going through these last couple years?

THOMAS: No, it's not easy at all. Obviously, I feel like when I'm healthy, I'm one of the best, but the best ability is availability, so I'm trying to do my best to be out there for my teammates and for myself.

I have goals of myself that I want to reach and my legacy, so I'm trying to do my best to reach those things.

Q: During your rehab, was there one emotional low point?

THOMAS: I would say when I first got hurt, it wasn't easy. It was very early in the season after being hurt the year before. It was tough, but I had a good support system around me, my wife, my family, teammates and coaches looking out for me. It was a little low at first, but then I just tried to change my mindset and look forward to getting better each day to get back when I'm ready.