Giants’ Evan Neal lands on PUP list in rough start to critical season

Evan Neal’s make-or-break year with the Giants is off to an ominous start. 

The 23-year-old right tackle, penciled in as a starter throughout the offseason, will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. 

He missed 10 games last season, including the final eight after it was discovered that what was thought to be an ankle sprain actually was a small ankle fracture. 

Neal underwent surgery in early January and recovered enough to participate in some walk-throughs during OTAs in May, but it appeared that he suffered a setback as the spring workouts progressed.

He did not participate in any seven-on-sevens or 11-on-11s. 

All that missed practice time will continue when training camp opens Wednesday.

It is compounded by Neal’s decision not to spend much of his offseason rehab time in the team facility, unlike quarterback Daniel Jones (torn ACL). 

Neal is missing invaluable reps as he tries to salvage a career careening toward bust territory.

The 2022 No. 7-overall draft pick has allowed 10 sacks and 81 quarterback pressures through 20 career games, according to Pro Football Focus. 

So, how will the Giants handle Neal’s absence? 

Josh Ezeudu played right tackle the spring. Ezeudu also filled in at left tackle when Andrew Thomas was sidelined, suggesting he is the swing tackle and next in line if a temporary solution is needed. 

But the Giants could explore a more permanent alternative. Free-agent signing Jermaine Eluemunor has been a better right tackle than Neal over the past two seasons with the Raiders, where he played under new Giants offensive line coach Carmen Brucillo.

The Giants signed Eluemunor because of his familiarity with the blocking scheme and his versatility. He worked at left guard in the spring with the anticipation of Neal slotting in at right tackle in the summer. 

If the Giants want to move Eluemunor to right tackle and potentially create a position battle when Neal becomes available, Aaron Stinnie is the leading in-house candidate to become the first-team left guard. 

Greg Van Roten, a free agent who started all 17 games at right guard for the Raiders last season, visited the Giants on Monday. 

During an episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” general manager Joe Schoen mentioned Thomas and center John Michael Schmitz — a second-round pick in 2023 — as the young core of the offensive line. Neal’s omission was glaring. 

The Giants also put cornerback Aaron Robinson on the PUP list. He has not practiced since he tore multiple knee ligaments on Oct. 2, 2022.

There is no minimum stay length required on PUP. 

Defensive backs Jalen Mills and Stanley Thomas-Oliver were placed on the non-football injury list.