New York Giants right tackle Evan Neal suffered an ankle injury during Saturday night’s final preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. This setback adds to the list of challenges the former first-round pick has faced since joining the Giants. It’s not yet known if this injury affects the same ankle that Neal had surgery on earlier this offseason.
Neal was listed as questionable to return midway through the second quarter after the starting offensive line, essentially the team’s second-string unit, finished their night. Unfortunately, Neal’s time with the Giants has been marked by inconsistent play and injuries, making it difficult for the team to rely on him since selecting him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Since being drafted, Neal has missed 14 out of 34 possible games due to various injuries. He also sat out all spring practices and most of training camp as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery. After finally returning to practice in a limited capacity, Neal made his preseason debut at right tackle against the Jets. However, his night was cut short after just 19 snaps due to the injury.
Neal is currently projected to be the backup right tackle behind veteran Jermaine Eluemunor, who was signed by the Giants in free agency this offseason. It’s still unclear how serious Neal’s latest injury is, but it’s evident that staying on the field has been a significant struggle for him since joining the NFL.