The New York Giants got a scare on Saturday night when two of their scheduled starters along the offensive line left the game with ankle injuries.
Center John Michael Schmitz and right tackle Evan Neal were playing in the Giants’ preseason finale against the Jets because head coach Brian Daboll wanted them to make up for the work they lost this summer.
Schmitz missed time with a shoulder issue and Neal was being slowly ramped up after offseason ankle surgery.
Neither player appeared to be concerned about their injuries. Neal left the game after 21 plays, which was around the number he was slated to play by the coaches.
“First of all, I wasn’t out with an ankle injury,” Neal clarified after the game. “I was only supposed to play 20 to 25 reps, and I came out on the 21st play that I was in. It just so happened that I got rolled up on that last play…but I got up, I was fine.
“I took a couple of hops around, and I just kind of felt the doctor wanted to look at it, just to make sure I was fine. Probably won’t get a scan tomorrow, but as far as how I’m feeling, I feel okay. So I don’t think there’s anything going on.”
Schmitz also downplayed his injury. He chalked it up to the hazards of the job and expects to be ready for the season opener in two weeks.
John Michael Schmitz says, on his status for Week 1: “No, I’m not worried about it.” Insists his ankle is good. Got rolled up on. #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/uRPBKV1eNH
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 25, 2024
Daboll said Schmitz and Neal would go for MRIs just to be sure but that remains to be seen.
The Giants do have some solutions at right tackle and center should one or both not be available for the season opener on September 8.
Jermaine Eluemunor has been spelling Neal this summer at right tackle while veterans Austin Schlottmann and Greg Van Roten have taken snaps at center.
