NFL
Evan Neal placed on PUP by New York Giants
In a blow to his chances of justifying the New York Giants selection of him No. 7 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Evan Neal has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list by the Giants.
That was one of four roster moves announced by the Giants on Tuesday afternoon, less than a full day before the team’s first practice of training camp.
Cornerback Aaron Robinson, who has not played since early 2022 after a major knee injury, was also placed on PUP. The Giants placed defensive backs Jalen Mills and Stantley Thomas-Oliver on the Non-Football Injury List.
Neal, a right tackle, has had an injury-plagued two seasons. He missed time with a knee injury in his rookie year, and dealt with injuries throughout the season. Last season, a training camp concussion and then an ankle injury hampered him. He has played in just 20 of 34 regular-season games, and when he has played his performance has been poor.
Neal had offseason ankle surgery, and his recovery from that has apparently not been smooth. He was held out of most spring practices, and now will not be practicing when the team opens camp.
That calls into question whether the Giants might simply move Jermaine Eluemunor, signed in the offseason as a free agent, to right tackle and open a competition for a guard spot. The Giants had veteran guard Greg Van Roten in for a visit on Monday, though no signing has yet been announced.
Like Eluemunor, Van Roten played for new Giants offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.