Giants’ Evan Neal has one path to playing time: ‘We have enough guards’
Evan Neal will be the backup right tackle.
He might be the backup left tackle.
He won’t be a guard.
“We have enough guards,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “He needs to continue to work at right tackle.”
So, does that mean that the Giants won’t have a true swing tackle who can replace both left tackle Andrew Thomas and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor if necessary?
Neal, who missed all of the spring practices and the first two weeks of training camp while recovering from offseason ankle surgery, exclusively has practiced at right tackle while Josh Ezeudu works as the second-string left tackle. The former first-round draft pick played left tackle at Alabama before switching sides — and struggling in the adjustment — to play opposite Thomas.
“Once we get into game week,” general manager Joe Schoen said, “we’ll talk about who’s going to be active, who’s not going to be active and what their roles may be if injury occurs.”
Schoen has re-watched Neal’s college tape at Alabama to confirm his pre-draft evaluation of the near-universally highly touted prospect.
He has allowed 10 sacks in 20 games (and missed 14 games) during his two-year NFL career.
“I think there is some flexibility with the depth that we have now on the offensive line,” Daboll said. “Some of those guys were starters, now they are backups. The five guys we have will start and hopefully stay out there.”
With training camp in the books, Schoen said QB Daniel Jones had a little “rust” early in training camp but “picked it up” as the practices progressed.
“Had a good camp overall,” Schoen said.
Safety Anthony Johnson was claimed off waivers from the Packers and the team cut S Gervarrius Owens.
Johnson started four games as a rookie seventh-round draft pick — taken at No. 243 overall, one spot before the Giants selected defensive tackle Jordon Riley.
Johnson played cornerback in college until switching his final year, when he set the Big 12 Conference record with 54 career starts.
LB Curtis Bolton reached an agreement with the Giants after D’yontae Johnson was moved to injured reserve. Johnson must miss the first four games.
Bolton has played in 28 career games, mostly on special teams.
None of the players cut by the Giants were claimed by other teams off waivers.
But CB Darnay Holmes signed to the Raiders 53-man roster and WR Allen Robinson joined the Lions practice squad after perhaps making a good impression during joint practices.
RB Dante Miller, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, TE Lawrence Cager, WR Isaiah Hodgins, WR Miles Boykin, OT Joshua Miles, OL Marcellus Johnson, C Jimmy Morrissey, DT Casey Rogers, OLB Tomon Fox, ILB Ty Summers, ILB K.J. Cloyd, DB Alex Johnson, S Raheem Layne and K Jude McAtamney were on the field Wednesday after re-signing to the practice squad.
