Editor’s note: Head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that Neal will have ankle surgery in the near future.
The New York Giants placed right tackle Evan Neal on season-ending injured reserve (IR) ahead of their Christmas Day game against the Philadelphia Eagles, bringing to a close his second underwhelming season.
Neal was limited to just seven games (all starts) this year while compiling a Pro Football Focus grade of 39.8, which is dead last among all qualifying tackles.
The 2022 first-round pick has under-performed during his time as the starter and some have questioned whether or not a move inside is necessary.
Whatever the Giants ultimately decide to do with Neal, that won’t come until next season. For now, the 23-year-old must focus on getting healthy and that may include an offseason surgery on his ankle.
“Evan’s done everything he could possibly do but couldn’t make it here so there’ll be stuff down the road, but the young man’s done everything he could possibly do. Just didn’t work out,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Tuesday.
Asked point-blank if that meant a procedure, Daboll offered rare injury-related clarity.
“Yeah,” he said.
Neal is expected to be healthy by the time training camp rolls around in July but the timing of any potential procedure may impact his availability for offseason mini-camps and (or) the team’s offseason workout program.
