New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal is finally being removed from the PUP list with training camp coming to an end.
The third-year offensive lineman hasn’t participated in practice since undergoing surgery on his ankle in January, and he started training camp on the PUP list.
While Neal is being removed from the list and is set to return to practice, he’s still working his way back. Head coach Brian Daboll told reporters before Sunday’s practice that Neal will be ramped up with only individual work to start.
Whether Neal will return to his starting role as the right tackle remains to be seen, but it would behoove the Giants to keep the current alignment along the offensive line.
Despite working in the spring as the starting left guard, veteran Jermaine Eluemunor has been the right tackle in Neal’s absence. A decision has yet to be made, but reverting back to the original lineup would be controversial.
It would be the correct move to make Neal a backup considering his struggles and injury history. It also gives the Giants the chance to build some chemistry along the offensive line while allowing Eluemunor to work at his best position.
This is a massive year for Neal, who hasn’t given the Giants a solid return on investment as the No. 7 pick from the 2022 NFL Draft.
We’ll see what the workload looks like when Neal is fully back, but this is an interesting storyline to keep an eye on.
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