The New York Giants are heading into a very important season after missing the playoffs in 2012 and now things will be a bit tougher, as starting right tackle David Diehl will be out for six weeks with a thumb injury that requires surgery.

According to ESPN.com, Diehl will be out for six weeks while he recovers from surgery and that means first round pick Justin Pugh likely will get the starting job when the season opens in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. Diehl gave up a bad sack against the Indianapolis Colts on Eli Manning and the team also was hoping Pugh would battle Diehl all preseason, but now it appears the job will be his.

Pugh was selected in the first round as a foundational lineman for the Giants and now he will get to cut his teeth as the starting right tackle when things pick up this season. James Brewer was also competing for the job, but the Giants likely will give Pugh his chance to shine.

Pugh was selected in the first round out of Syracuse and he was the first lineman taken by the Giants that high in years and now he will have the chance to prove why he was a first round pick in the first place. The Giants have had some offensive line issues over the past few seasons and with the team bringing in a new running game with David Wilson and Andre Brown, consistency will be more important than ever as they get acclimated to starting after Ahmad Bradshaw left.

Pugh dealt with a concussion earlier in the offseason while working out in practice and he was cleared to play after dealing with some recovery time. Diehl will likely get his chance to start again once he recovers, but if Pugh continues to play well through the start of the season, Tom Coughlin could change his mind. The 23-year-old can play a number of positions on the line and GM Jerry Reese loves his versatility.

The Giants are dealing with a number of injuries right now to Victor Cruz as well as Hakeem Nicks and now with David Baas and Diehl dealing with injuries, staying healthy through the preseason is more important than ever.