Recovering Andrew Thomas believes Giants can make comeback but will take some time

Andrew Thomas’ right foot is in a boot, but neither foot is out the door.Thomas — one of the Giants’ three best players and a three-time co-captain — expressed confidence Friday that better days are ahead than what have been on display during a franchise-record-tying nine-game losing streak that could be extended Sunday against the Falcons.“You always have to feel like we’re going to turn it around,” Thomas said in his first interview since suffering a Lisfranc injury to his right foot on Oct.13.

“If you have a negative mindset, you’ll never overcome.I’m trying to be as positive as I can, having this season-ending injury, but I think we have a good collective group of some young players that can play well.

It’s going to take some time, but I think we’ll get there.”Thomas’ health is one of the biggest keys to building a sustainable foundation.The 2022 Second-Team All-Pro is signed to a $117.5 million contract through the 2029 season.Over the past two seasons, the Giants are 6-10 when Thomas is at left tackle compared to 2-13 and when he is not.

He missed seven games last season with a hamstring injury and somehow gutted through more than 30 plays on an injured foot to finish the game against the Bengals at the start of this skid.“It was just a normal down block, and I felt something go,” Thomas said.“I knew something was wrong.”The Giants’ personnel shortages run deep on all sides of the ball, but Thomas carries the burden of being the roster’s most irreplaceable player.

The lack of adding a viable Plan B at left tackle by the front office and coaching staff in back-to-back years proved crippling.“Sometimes you have the ‘should’ve, could’ve, would’ve,’ but it happened,” Thomas said.“I can’t do much to change what happened.

All I can do is try to prepare for next year.”Thomas said he was told to expect a five-month recovery start to finish, which would put him back on the field in time for OTAs.The Gian...