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Geoff Schwartz's return to the Giants lineup will come at right tackle.

((Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com))

EAST RUTHERFORD ‐ Coming off a game where the Giants struggled to protect quarterback Eli Manning, an offensive line shuffle is in the works. With starting right tackle Justin Pugh injured and marquee offseason acquisition Geoff Schwartz set to return following a serious toe injury, the embattled line will have a vastly different look on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys with two new starters.

Barring a miraculous recovery for Pugh, Schwartz will step in at right tackle and veteran Adam Snyder will replace rookie Weston Richburg at left guard, according to two people familiar with the team's thinking. The individuals asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the personnel moves.

Schwartz was signed by the Giants to primarily play guard, with some flexibility to play tackle. He was expected to start at left guard before suffering a toe injury during a preaseason game against the Jets.

"Wherever we could fit him in," coach Tom Coughlin said of the plan when Schwartz was signed. "He's played pretty much every position out there."

Richburg immediately stepped in at left guard, where he has started all 10 games. Drafted as a center, he's had his ups and downs at the unfamiliar position.

The rookie out of Colorado State has struggled at times this season, particularly as a run blocker. He has a -7.9 grade in the run game according to Pro Football Focus.

"He's playing hard," Coughlin said on Thursday about his rookie season. "He's learning as he goes along. He's working every day. Every day is a new day and new experience for him. He's done a good job and he's getting better."

Before Pugh was forced to leave Sunday's loss to the 49ers in the first quarter, the Giants seemed uncertain whether to put Schwartz at right or left guard. Schwartz admitted Wednesday he took first-team reps at tackle and guard at practice during team drills.

Right guard John Jerry admittedly is coming off his second "horrible" game of the season. Most of his struggles, however, came after Brown entered at right tackle and performed "not very well."

The entire offensive line struggled against the 49ers on Sunday. The Giants managed just 65 rushing yards and allowed seven quarterback hits on Eli Manning.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.