Giants OT Evan Neal Might Need Surgery

New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal had hoped to return to the playing field at some point from the ankle issue he suffered in the team's Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

But despite showing some progress two weeks ago when he was finally able to practice and earn an injury designation of doubtful for the team's game against the Saints (Neal didn't play in that game), the former Alabama product took a step backward last week, failing to get on the practice field before eventually landing on injured reserve.

Now, with his second season officially over after just seven games, Neal could be looking at off-season surgery, according to head coach Brian Daboll.

“Evan’s done everything he could possibly do but couldn’t make it here, so there’ll be stuff down the road,” Daboll said. “Just didn’t work out.”

When asked if “stuff down the road” meant surgery, Daboll said, “Yeah.”

Neal, the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has struggled to live up to his draft pedigree. As a rookie last year, he allowed 52 pressures in 534 pass-blocking snaps, tied for third-most among all offensive tackles last season.

This year, he participated in 309 pass-block snaps, allowing 30 pressures, or an average of 4.28 per game, which would have put him on pace for nearly 73 pressures.

There is a growing sentiment that Neal would be better served by moving to guard, but that notion thus far has been rebuked by general manager Joe Schoen and Neal himself.

But with Neal now potentially having to incorporate rehab into his upcoming off-season workouts, it will be interesting to see if the Giants have a change of heart and look to address the right tackle spot in free agency or the draft.

Follow and like us on Facebook
Submit your questions for our mailbag
Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.
Subscribe and like the LockedOn Giants YouTube Channel