EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have been waiting for right tackle Evan Neal to practice since opening training camp almost two weeks ago, and his absence is a topic coach Brian Daboll doesn’t like talking about.
Daboll on Sunday was asked about Neal’s status as the Giants held a light practice at their training facility in the Meadowlands sports complex.
The seventh pick overall in the 2022 NFL draft, Neal had offseason ankle surgery in January and he is still undergoing rehabilitation. He was put on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list the day players reported.
While the team has practiced, Neal has worked on the side with the trainers. He ran Sunday and that seemed to be a step forward. It’s doubtful he’ll take part in two days of workouts with the Detroit Lions, starting on Monday.
Daboll has been consistent with his answers about Neal, who has struggled in his first two seasons. Daboll has said that Neal is not ready yet. Neal has not had a setback and every athlete is different in terms of recovery time.
“I know he’s doing everything he can do,” Daboll said. “Whether it’s a high draft pick or undrafted free agent, you care about all your guys. So when he’s ready, we’ll put him out there.”
For now, the Giants offensive line has Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle, Aaron Stinnie at right guard, recently signed Greg Van Roten at center for the injured John Michael Schmitz, Jon Runyan Jr. at left guard and Andrew Thomas at left tackle.
Eluemunor and Van Roten were starters last season with the Raiders and signed as free agents, where they are again working with former Las Vegas coach Carmen Bricillo, who was hired by New York to be the O-line coach this season. Runyan came to the Giants as a free agent after playing in Green Bay while Stinnie was signed after playing with Tampa Bay.
Eluemunor has looked good at right tackle and Neal may have trouble moving him out of that spot when he returns.
“That’s down the road,” Daboll said of Neal returning to right tackle. “Let’s get him healthy first, and when he comes back, we’ll deal with that.”
Neal played left guard at Alabama as a freshman before moving to right tackle. So he is versatile.
There is still a month to go before the season opens. Neal could come back and play well. Schmitz has to return from his shoulder injury.
Thomas said Sunday the new group is working hard. The hope is they are better than last season’s line that gave up a franchise-record 85 sacks.
“Once we step on the field on Sunday, when the bullets are really flying, that’s when you really know,” Thomas said. “It’s also hard to compare it to different years. Last year, there was so much going on, whether it was injuries, rotation, or so many different things. But I think we have a good group of guys, some veteran presence in the room, and I think that will help us gel together.”
Thomas has spoken to Neal and he feels his teammate is not frustrated by the injury. He wants to be practicing, but his body is not ready.
“(I’m) just trying to motivate him, just to make sure that he doesn’t get discouraged because I’ve been in that position of not being able to practice,” Thomas said. “I’ve been injured, not in camp, but in OTAs. I’ve been there, coming off of surgery. It’s not an easy thing, but I think he has the right mindset.”
Daboll said the workouts with the Lions will include seven-on-seven passing drills. He has used more 11-on-11 drills in training camp this season.
“Good work against another team,” Daboll said. “Got a lot of respect for (Lions coach) Dan (Campbell). We’ve been friends for a long time. Try to practice the right way with one another, like we do against our team. Staying off the ground. Doing things the right way. So, it’ll be good work.”
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