The Giants announced Sunday morning that Offensive Tackle Evan Neal has been removed from the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list.
The Giants also signed linebacker KJ Cloyd and dispensed with the defensive back Caleb Hayes.
Neal was placed on the PUP list to begin training camp while he continues to recover from his January ankle surgery.
Although he is now active, Neal still needs to get back into shape before he can participate in team drills, meaning the experienced Jermaine Eluemunor will probably remain the first team’s right tackle, at least for the time being.
Eluemunor has played both tackle and guard in the NFL, and while he could fall back to either guard position, he could well prove to be a better option than Neal, who struggled as a pro, at the right tackle position. In that scenario, either Aaron Stinnie or Greg Van Roten could start at right guard and leave Neal out as an outsider.
Neal, 23, has started 20 games for the Giants since being selected seventh overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Selected in hopes of giving the Giants a sturdy right tackle to partner with Andrew Thomas In the years that followed, Neal performed below average, raising doubts about his place in both the starting lineup and the squad.
Head Coach Brian Daboll told reporters that quarterback Daniel Jones will get some playing time when the Giants face the Houston Texans in their second preseason game on Saturday.
Jones, of course, hasn’t played in a game since tearing his ACL against the Las Vegas Raiders last November. Jones, who also battled a neck injury, played in just six games last season, finishing 1-5 with 909 passing yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions.
John Michael Schmitz returns to training
More good news from the Giants offensive line: Center John Michael Schmitz returns to the training field after a shoulder injury.
Without Schmitz in the lineup, Van Roten has played most of his time at center, but the veteran will now likely move to the right guard position, where he has a chance to secure a spot in the starting lineup.
