Right tackle and former first-round pick Evan Neal was activated off the PUP (Physically Unable to Play) list this week and has now joined the New York Giants training camp practices. Neal has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury that forced him to miss most of last season and he ended up needing ankle surgery. As Evan Neal enters his first third season for the Giants, he may be on a short leash.
Evan Neal has been inconsistent at the right tackle for the Giants. From not protecting long enough at the position, injuries, and more, he’s been having a rough time. The 23-year-old is looking for some kind of production that the Giants know is there. While it is uncertain where Neal will end up fitting for this Giants offensive line, he’s without a doubt, facing a crucial year in 2024. How will he fare?
The additions To NY’s Offensive Line
General Manager Joe Schoen made it clear this offseason with the moves he made that he must improve the offensive line. He did just that by adding many key veteran players at the position which puts even more pressure on Evan Neal this season. New York added guards Jon Runyan Jr., Greg Van Roten, and tackle Jermaine Eluemunor this offseason who have proven to be solid players at the position. These moves should send a message to Neal.
Eluemunor has played right tackle throughout his career, most recently with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, and it would not be a surprise if the Giants decide to move some more pieces of their offensive line around. That could create quite an issue for Neal that he won’t be able to find on the offensive line. Especially after getting booed last season on primetime and even public feuding with Giants fans.
The Giants knew that despite struggles on offense last year, the offensive line was certainly a problem, and adding those three veteran pieces can be a solution to that problem. Neal needs to show throughout the rest of training camp that despite the additions that were made on the O-line, he can still be the reliable tackle the Giants thought he would be when they drafted him two years ago.
Evan Neal’s Injury History
Neal ever since he entered the league in 2022, has had the injury bug bite him. Head Coach Brian Daboll at one point early in training camp seemed annoyed when asked about Neal’s timetable for a return as he could not give an exact date for his return. While Neal is finally back this week after being on the PUP list, this is still a cause for concern entering this season.
Despite playing 13 games during his rookie season in 2022, Evan Neal suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain which forced him to miss some time and last season was even worse. Neal was shelved for 10 games last season and was eventually put on the injured reserved list that ended his season as he could not rebound from an ankle injury.
After showing some promise in his rookie season, the Giants were hopeful that Evan Neal could elevate his game in 2023, but that was not the case in year two for Evan Neal. Staying healthy for more than 10 games is perhaps going to decide whether Neal belongs on this Giants roster for the foreseeable future.
