Giants Activate Neal Off PUP List

The New York Giants had a plan for how the offensive line would look in 2024. They signed linemen Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor to play guard, insulated the unit’s depth, and set the table for right tackle Evan Neal to take a step forward with better talent around him and a new offensive line coach in Carmen Bricillo.

Like most plans in this league, it quickly went to the wayside.

Neal, recovering from an ankle injury, wasn’t ready for training camp when it began in late July. He was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List, and Eluemunor pivoted to right tackle, signaling an extended absence.

On Sunday, the Giants activated Neal off the PUP List.

For now, he’s ramping up. Staying healthy is paramount, and throwing him into team drills seems like a recipe for disaster. New York will give him time to get up to speed, ready to hit the ground running, and confident in his ankle.

That will also give the Giants time to figure out what to do with him.

As a 2022 first-round pick (No. 7 overall), there is pressure to play him at right tackle. But after the offseason’s additions, including late-stage signing Greg Van Roten, the existing vacancy has vanished.

Eluemunor is a right tackle by trade and had been transitioning to left guard before Neal’s delayed start scratched those plans. Last year, with the Las Vegas Raiders, Eluemunor was serviceable on the right side (significantly better than Neal). He did so with Van Roten at right guard beside him. Van Roten had a career year under Bricillo’s watch in 2023.

That is reason enough to roll with the current best five linemen . But if Bricillo’s impact is tangible, New York could give Neal a chance to compete at right tackle. Upside was never in question with Neal; health and consistency have proven to be elusive.

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If Neal does start at right tackle, Eluemunor would likely be thrust back into the left guard spot (where Runyan has pivoted), putting Runyan at right guard and Van Roten as the first interior linemen off the bench.

While potentially the best option for Neal’s long-term development, it flies in the face of putting the best five linemen on the field and is banking on quick progress that isn’t wise to bet on. In a year where keeping quarterback Daniel Jones upright is paramount, the Giants may be forced to send Neal to the bench and hope to foster growth from second-team reps.