The New York Giants are on the verge of one of their best starts in years after tying the Washington Commanders in Week 5 to move to 3-1-1. That’s why the latest injury news involving two of their best players is a huge boost for their chances against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, star edge rusher Abdul Carter and left tackle Andrew Thomas are both expected to be on the field when the Giants take on the Saints in Week 6.

Abdul Carter and Andrew Thomas fortify the Giants trenches against the Saints

Carter has been dealing with a calf injury that held him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. He got in a limited session Friday, and New York listed him as questionable on its final injury report heading into Sunday’s matchup.

Thomas followed the same path. He missed the Wednesday and Thursday sessions before turning in a limited practice Friday. The difference is that Thomas has been dealing with a groin injury rather than a calf injury.

Abdul Carter has been one of the bright spots for the Giants defense. He is tied for the team lead with 2.0 sacks, he leads the team with six quarterback hits, and he’s tied for third with two tackles for loss. He’s shown a lot of improvement over his rookie year, and that’s exciting for the Giants’ pass rush as it stands right now.

Carter’s matchup also looks favorable. The Saints are without one of their starting tackles in Kelvin Banks, so Carter should have an opportunity to make some big plays against the NFC South foe.

Thomas is obviously the Giants’ starting left tackle and has been a good player for them over the last few years. He’ll be going up against a tough defense in Brandon Staley’s unit, so having him back is paramount for New York’s chances of beating the Saints. Protecting the blind side against a well-coached defense is a lot easier with your foundational left tackle in the lineup.

Saints injury updates make the return of Carter and Thomas more valuable

On the flip side, New Orleans is expected to have two of its biggest offensive weapons available Sunday.

Star wide receiver Chris Olave and star running back Alvin Kamara were both listed as questionable on Friday’s final injury report, but per Rapoport, both players should play. Olave has been dealing with an unspecified illness over the week, while Kamara is still working through the back injury he suffered in Week 4.

That’s not something the Giants want to see. However, this is the NFL, and you always have to play against the best. A Saints offense with Olave and Kamara on the field is a much tougher assignment for the Giants’ defense, which makes Carter’s presence even more important. If he can take advantage of a banged-up New Orleans offensive line, it could take some pressure off the back end when the Saints try to get the ball to their playmakers.

The same logic applies on the other side of the ball. If the Saints have their full complement of offensive weapons, the Giants will need to keep pace, and that starts up front. Thomas being back gives New York a much better shot at sustaining drives and keeping Kamara and Olave on the sideline.

Regardless, the Giants are getting two of their best players back on the field for Sunday’s game. With a 3-1-1 record already in hand and a home date with the Saints on deck, that should go a long way in boosting New York’s chances of improving to 4-1-1.