Giants OT Evan Neal Reportedly Suffered an MCL Sprain in Win vs. Jaguars

New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal reportedly suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, who also reports that Neal could miss some time.

#Giants OT Evan Neal is believed to have a grade 2 mcl sprain based on early tests, per source. The top-10 pick could miss some time but that’s to be determined.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 24, 2022

Neal was injured early in the second quarter while blocking for running back Saquon Barkley's 5-yard run up the middle. It looked like Neal had someone roll up on his leg, which caused him to crumble to the ground in pain.

MCL injury confirmed for Evan Neal. See the valgus force applied to the knee here. I expect him out until at least after the bye week with likely return week 10 against the Texans with a MCL brace on similar to what kayvon Thibodeaux wears currently #giants @Patricia_Traina https://t.co/yQn1QNLBAf pic.twitter.com/5JmjcHX9ji
— Eric Friedman, MD (@sportsinjuryMD) October 24, 2022

Although he was able to walk off the field, Neal was soon carted back to the locker room for further evaluation and was declared out for the rest of the game shortly after that.

Grade 2 MCL tears can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to heal, depending on the treatment and the individual. The NFL Network reported that Neal's injury will cost him 3-4 weeks, but the good news is the Giants have a Week 9 bye, which Neal can use to aggressively treat and rest the injury in the hopes of getting back on the field sooner than later.

Tyre Phillips stepped in for Neal at right tackle after he went down. In 57 snaps played, he allowed four pressures. He'll presumably get the start against Seattle.

"Yeah, I think they both did a good job," head coach Brian Daboll said about Phillips and rookie joshua Ezeudu, who stepped in for Ben Bredeson at guard.

"They were prepared and that’s a credit to them, first and foremost, but then (offensive line coach) Bobby (Johnson) and (assistant offensive line coach) Tony (Sparano Jr.) spend a lot of extra time with some of those younger guys or guys that are working on the practice squad. They were both ready to go and prepared and did a good job."

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