August 19, 2025 • 10 mins
Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas speaks to the media after practice Tuesday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
What was your target to get activated, like when you
were going through this whole long process.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
When we spoke about it a few months ago, we
had kind of like a I guess a rough draft
or whatever. 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 it out that I'm
in a good spot and it decided to activate.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Do you feel like this give you enough time to
be fully ramped up and ready to go.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
What we want.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I'm just going one day at a time. I can't
really predict that right now. Just see the products that
are made, you know, over the last few weeks, so
we don't know where it will end up. But I'm
just trying to do everything i can do to be back.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I'm excited just to get to this point that feels great.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I was joking about it with the training rooms at
the training staff earlier today and on our cars they
have like a date for like when you first started,
and I looked on it, it was like three to
ten days consecutive training trying to get right. So it's
spent 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 some any today and
feel good there.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
What it was it been like where you have the
foot and you know, is there anything you have to
like keep an eye on or you know, not put
too much weight or work on it, Like how do
you balance sat as move forward?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yeah, it's it's a tough injury to come back for,
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. So I'm just trying
to be grateful for what I do have and the
projects that I've made and continue to keep a positive mindset.
Speaker 5 (01:32):
One has nothing to do with the other Handrew, But
you've had a couple of major injuries the last couple
of years. Do you do anything different in your t
Like are you constantly trying to figure out, like how
do I stay on the field for seventeen games? Is
there anything I can do different or just chalk it
up to like that's bad luck a couple of times?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Yeah, just like you you're a student of the game,
Like I'm always trying to figure out how to take
a better set or be a better runbocker. It's the
same thing off the field, so just doing different things,
trying to do new things that It's hard to tell
because the season so there's so many factors that go
into being healthy. But obviously I'm you know, trying to
do my due dealer, just to be out there for
all of them, your big piece.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Of this team. What's it like from your teammates to.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
Support you're getting sit again, support you're getting from your teammate.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
That was great. They've been amazing.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Obviously they would love to have me out there, but
they're supporting me and they understand, you know, what it's like,
and I'm trying to be for them.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Be there for them as well.
Speaker 7 (02:22):
You have like a practice rap account that you're trying
to get to before playing in a game. Isn't that specific,
like what the player looks like.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
We haven't discussed that just yet. Like I said, just
day at a time.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
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 Seagos.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
What about your mind?
Speaker 6 (02:44):
In your mind, you know you've done this before you're
not You're not a rookie anymore. You know what it's
been like 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 you head too,
because you don't want to put yourself on a clock.
Is that a balance that's that's difficult to have, even
(03:06):
if you know the reality of the situation.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah, it's tough. I mean, I think for office Alarman,
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 trying to practice preseason whatever it is.
So that's something that's hard to mimic. But like you said,
if I focus on that and not necessarily my foot
being healthy, you know, getting reps and I'm.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Not myself you know, won't help the team. So just
trying to do my best to get back one hundred percent.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Obviously getting back for the preseason to prettyialistic at this point.
So what are your thoughts on, you know, getting ready
for the season without having the preseason available.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
To you, 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 because you know, weeks in advance yet,
but just knowing my best to be ready when I'm ready.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
I'm just talking about it.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
There's a matter to year that you don't If you
don't get it, I think you know pres I give him.
You have to just go out there and prepare without it,
this kind of to make a different approach.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Honestly, this is my first time experiencing this, you know,
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, full speed or rushing
things of that nature. But I think if I'm if
my body's healthy, I can I can react and be
a good player.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
You know, andrewbody both unblocking for Russell Wilson. I don't
think we've talked to you since he got here. Obviously
a guy who's in his career, He's made a lot
of big plays by holding the ball a long time,
which also.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Leads to a lot of sacks.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
Uh, You're gonna be on his blind side.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 2 (04:43):
It's exciting. One of the best quarterbacks of our generation.
He's one of the whole thing before, so he knows
what it looks like. And obviously we have some talented
guys around and I'm sure he can get the ball
to him. So it's exciting to have him there. He's
probat you know, great leadership and just that whole quarterback pom.
I think they wi They've all done a good job
really so far, but obviously it counts on game day,
(05:05):
so we gotta put it together. I think the officer
line has done a great job so far protecting the
quarterback and opening up round LANs.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
We just go to continue to do that great.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
I'm a good quick just feel right now, like you
can you tell you're coming back from something so or.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, so like a few months ago, like when I
would go through a rehab day, like it'll be sore continuously,
you know, two or three days after the thing.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
That's encouraging this.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
I've been doing more each and every day and I
recover a lot better, So I think that's a good sign.
There's obviously some soreness that you'll deal with. And speaking
to the surgeons and things of that nature, say, with this
type of injury, that's something you just have to deal with,
especially after.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
The first year. I'm just trying to work.
Speaker 7 (05:43):
Through it during your rehab. Have you been able to
simulate anything close to the pressure of what your foot
will absorb when you.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Have to anchor?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
I would say today was that the first opportunity doing
an individual actually hitting somebody who's three hundred pounds working
on double teams and things like that. Like I said,
I haven't taken a full speed game rep, which I
think it's hard to replicate, but I think that was
procrets today't gon keep building and see where it goes.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
If you talk to any bigger guys who has his
injury and they recovered from it.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah, I talked to Sean O'Hair about it because he
had a similar injury and it's the same thing. It's like,
I feel like everyone's surgeon's different and they're I guess
where the because it's like with the Liszt Frank and
really put the screws in that all matters. And for
him he told me that it's broke and it was
different complications. So it's just I think it's just a
tough injury for bigger guys. He said, it bothered them,
(06:34):
you know, throughout that 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 in.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
The arch of things like that to make it through
the season. Where are you?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Where are you at in terms of like the playbook
and all like, like, I know the body has to
catch up and like and where you like active the
meetings that sort of thing. Yeah, I'm always really engaged,
just trying to speak when I can to help out
the younger guys. And you know, I've been in this
city him for a minute, and there's always changes that
Dave's and caf are making, you know, trying to get
the edge on people. But I understand the basics and
(07:06):
I kind of understand, you know, my my spot, So
I think I'll be okay in that in that area.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Andrew Or, when you see what Abdul Carter has done
on the fielder, you like, I want my turn against him?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
No, for sure, when you see someone that's talented, you
want to go against that every day. And he's getting better.
I think Charlie's done a great job with the whole
houseside of the room. I think everyone is taking a
step and that's better for us up from we get
to see that, you know every day it's gonna make
us better.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
And then Dark, Oh, he's done a great job as well.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
I think he's been decisive, aggressive, He has a little
swagger about him that I like, so hopefully he continue
to progress. I'd be like with Jim Hudson's brought in
obviously feel him and he's got off some INTENSEI somebody
has to say, what do you like seeing him?
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yeah, I would say first, the mentality that he plays with.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
I think as office alignment, you need a little bit
of that grit to you, and I think he definitely
brings that. But super duper athletic. He can move any
type of run block you need off the backside, reach
a really good player, and I like what he's done
for us so far.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
True, you've seen the highs and lows here. It seemed
like every training camp we'd always say to you, Okay,
what do you feel?
Speaker 3 (08:09):
What do you feel?
Speaker 6 (08:10):
First, the feeling around the team from guys who have
been here is that the vibe is different what what's
the vibe? What are you sense about where you guys
are having.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
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, you know, when it counts.
So I think we're moving in the right direction. But
like I said, when we're faced with our you know,
our opponent and adversity, that's when you'll see who we
who we really are.
Speaker 6 (08:39):
Another rookie, how about about what what have you seen
from him?
Speaker 3 (08:43):
He said?
Speaker 6 (08:43):
He kind of picked your brain a little bit.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
But what what are you seeing from him? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Bo is doing a great job for so far. Really athletic.
He's always, you know, has an open ear trying to learn.
Whether that's Jermaine or me or James. I'm just trying
to 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. Like he he
likes to finish blocks, and I I think that's good.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Two more his last couple years and you basically establish
yourself on the top guys, and then these paths two
seem just like dealing with that mentally.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
No, it's not easy at all.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Obviously, I feel like when I'm when I'm healthy, I'm
one of the best. Uh, but uh, the best availability
or the best ability is availability. So I'm trying to
do my best to be out there for my teammates
and and for myself.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You know, I have goals of myself that I I.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Want to reach and my legacy, so I'm, you know,
trying to do my best to to reach those things.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Dr during your rehab was the.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
One emotional low point.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
I would say when I when I first got hurt
wasn't easy. It was very early in the season after
being hurt the year before. It was tough, but had
a good support system around my wife, my family, teammates
and culches looking out for me. And it was a
little lower first, but then I just tried to change
my mindset and look forward to to getting better each
day to get back my money.
What was your target to get activated, like when you
were going through this whole long process.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
When we spoke about it a few months ago, we
had kind of like a I guess a rough draft
or whatever. 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 it out that I'm
in a good spot and it decided to activate.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Do you feel like this give you enough time to
be fully ramped up and ready to go.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
What we want.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I'm just going one day at a time. I can't
really predict that right now. Just see the products that
are made, you know, over the last few weeks, so
we don't know where it will end up. But I'm
just trying to do everything i can do to be back.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I'm excited just to get to this point that feels great.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I was joking about it with the training rooms at
the training staff earlier today and on our cars they
have like a date for like when you first started,
and I looked on it, it was like three to
ten days consecutive training trying to get right. So it's
spent 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 some any today and
feel good there.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
What it was it been like where you have the
foot and you know, is there anything you have to
like keep an eye on or you know, not put
too much weight or work on it, Like how do
you balance sat as move forward?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yeah, it's it's a tough injury to come back for,
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. So I'm just trying
to be grateful for what I do have and the
projects that I've made and continue to keep a positive mindset.
Speaker 5 (01:32):
One has nothing to do with the other Handrew, But
you've had a couple of major injuries the last couple
of years. Do you do anything different in your t
Like are you constantly trying to figure out, like how
do I stay on the field for seventeen games? Is
there anything I can do different or just chalk it
up to like that's bad luck a couple of times?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Yeah, just like you you're a student of the game,
Like I'm always trying to figure out how to take
a better set or be a better runbocker. It's the
same thing off the field, so just doing different things,
trying to do new things that It's hard to tell
because the season so there's so many factors that go
into being healthy. But obviously I'm you know, trying to
do my due dealer, just to be out there for
all of them, your big piece.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Of this team. What's it like from your teammates to.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
Support you're getting sit again, support you're getting from your teammate.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
That was great. They've been amazing.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Obviously they would love to have me out there, but
they're supporting me and they understand, you know, what it's like,
and I'm trying to be for them.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Be there for them as well.
Speaker 7 (02:22):
You have like a practice rap account that you're trying
to get to before playing in a game. Isn't that specific,
like what the player looks like.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
We haven't discussed that just yet. Like I said, just
day at a time.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
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 Seagos.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
What about your mind?
Speaker 6 (02:44):
In your mind, you know you've done this before you're
not You're not a rookie anymore. You know what it's
been like 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 you head too,
because you don't want to put yourself on a clock.
Is that a balance that's that's difficult to have, even
(03:06):
if you know the reality of the situation.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah, it's tough. I mean, I think for office Alarman,
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 trying to practice preseason whatever it is.
So that's something that's hard to mimic. But like you said,
if I focus on that and not necessarily my foot
being healthy, you know, getting reps and I'm.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Not myself you know, won't help the team. So just
trying to do my best to get back one hundred percent.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Obviously getting back for the preseason to prettyialistic at this point.
So what are your thoughts on, you know, getting ready
for the season without having the preseason available.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
To you, 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 because you know, weeks in advance yet,
but just knowing my best to be ready when I'm ready.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
I'm just talking about it.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
There's a matter to year that you don't If you
don't get it, I think you know pres I give him.
You have to just go out there and prepare without it,
this kind of to make a different approach.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Honestly, this is my first time experiencing this, you know,
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, full speed or rushing
things of that nature. But I think if I'm if
my body's healthy, I can I can react and be
a good player.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
You know, andrewbody both unblocking for Russell Wilson. I don't
think we've talked to you since he got here. Obviously
a guy who's in his career, He's made a lot
of big plays by holding the ball a long time,
which also.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Leads to a lot of sacks.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
Uh, You're gonna be on his blind side.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 2 (04:43):
It's exciting. One of the best quarterbacks of our generation.
He's one of the whole thing before, so he knows
what it looks like. And obviously we have some talented
guys around and I'm sure he can get the ball
to him. So it's exciting to have him there. He's
probat you know, great leadership and just that whole quarterback pom.
I think they wi They've all done a good job
really so far, but obviously it counts on game day,
(05:05):
so we gotta put it together. I think the officer
line has done a great job so far protecting the
quarterback and opening up round LANs.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
We just go to continue to do that great.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
I'm a good quick just feel right now, like you
can you tell you're coming back from something so or.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, so like a few months ago, like when I
would go through a rehab day, like it'll be sore continuously,
you know, two or three days after the thing.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
That's encouraging this.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
I've been doing more each and every day and I
recover a lot better, So I think that's a good sign.
There's obviously some soreness that you'll deal with. And speaking
to the surgeons and things of that nature, say, with this
type of injury, that's something you just have to deal with,
especially after.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
The first year. I'm just trying to work.
Speaker 7 (05:43):
Through it during your rehab. Have you been able to
simulate anything close to the pressure of what your foot
will absorb when you.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Have to anchor?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
I would say today was that the first opportunity doing
an individual actually hitting somebody who's three hundred pounds working
on double teams and things like that. Like I said,
I haven't taken a full speed game rep, which I
think it's hard to replicate, but I think that was
procrets today't gon keep building and see where it goes.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
If you talk to any bigger guys who has his
injury and they recovered from it.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah, I talked to Sean O'Hair about it because he
had a similar injury and it's the same thing. It's like,
I feel like everyone's surgeon's different and they're I guess
where the because it's like with the Liszt Frank and
really put the screws in that all matters. And for
him he told me that it's broke and it was
different complications. So it's just I think it's just a
tough injury for bigger guys. He said, it bothered them,
(06:34):
you know, throughout that 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 in.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
The arch of things like that to make it through
the season. Where are you?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Where are you at in terms of like the playbook
and all like, like, I know the body has to
catch up and like and where you like active the
meetings that sort of thing. Yeah, I'm always really engaged,
just trying to speak when I can to help out
the younger guys. And you know, I've been in this
city him for a minute, and there's always changes that
Dave's and caf are making, you know, trying to get
the edge on people. But I understand the basics and
(07:06):
I kind of understand, you know, my my spot, So
I think I'll be okay in that in that area.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Andrew Or, when you see what Abdul Carter has done
on the fielder, you like, I want my turn against him?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
No, for sure, when you see someone that's talented, you
want to go against that every day. And he's getting better.
I think Charlie's done a great job with the whole
houseside of the room. I think everyone is taking a
step and that's better for us up from we get
to see that, you know every day it's gonna make
us better.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
And then Dark, Oh, he's done a great job as well.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
I think he's been decisive, aggressive, He has a little
swagger about him that I like, so hopefully he continue
to progress. I'd be like with Jim Hudson's brought in
obviously feel him and he's got off some INTENSEI somebody
has to say, what do you like seeing him?
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yeah, I would say first, the mentality that he plays with.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
I think as office alignment, you need a little bit
of that grit to you, and I think he definitely
brings that. But super duper athletic. He can move any
type of run block you need off the backside, reach
a really good player, and I like what he's done
for us so far.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
True, you've seen the highs and lows here. It seemed
like every training camp we'd always say to you, Okay,
what do you feel?
Speaker 3 (08:09):
What do you feel?
Speaker 6 (08:10):
First, the feeling around the team from guys who have
been here is that the vibe is different what what's
the vibe? What are you sense about where you guys
are having.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
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, you know, when it counts.
So I think we're moving in the right direction. But
like I said, when we're faced with our you know,
our opponent and adversity, that's when you'll see who we
who we really are.
Speaker 6 (08:39):
Another rookie, how about about what what have you seen
from him?
Speaker 3 (08:43):
He said?
Speaker 6 (08:43):
He kind of picked your brain a little bit.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
But what what are you seeing from him? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Bo is doing a great job for so far. Really athletic.
He's always, you know, has an open ear trying to learn.
Whether that's Jermaine or me or James. I'm just trying
to 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. Like he he
likes to finish blocks, and I I think that's good.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Two more his last couple years and you basically establish
yourself on the top guys, and then these paths two
seem just like dealing with that mentally.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
No, it's not easy at all.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Obviously, I feel like when I'm when I'm healthy, I'm
one of the best. Uh, but uh, the best availability
or the best ability is availability. So I'm trying to
do my best to be out there for my teammates
and and for myself.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You know, I have goals of myself that I I.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Want to reach and my legacy, so I'm, you know,
trying to do my best to to reach those things.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Dr during your rehab was the.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
One emotional low point.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
I would say when I when I first got hurt
wasn't easy. It was very early in the season after
being hurt the year before. It was tough, but had
a good support system around my wife, my family, teammates
and culches looking out for me. And it was a
little lower first, but then I just tried to change
my mindset and look forward to to getting better each
day to get back my money.
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Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
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