Seven months after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured ankle, offensive tackle Evan Neal returned to the field for the New York Giants.
Neal was activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Sunday and finally rejoined his teammates. However, Neal returned to somewhat unfamiliar and uncertain territory.
In his absence, veteran Jermaine Eluemunor has assumed the starting role at right tackle and appears unlikely to surrender it. That leaves Neal as somewhat of an odd man out, but he’s willing to embrace whatever role it is the Giants need him to fill.
“Whatever role that the team has for me, I’m going to embrace it. So, whether that’s starting or not starting, I’m here to contribute to the team, and I’m going to do everything in my power to do so,” Neal told reporters.
“I’m not owed anything, and I can’t feel like I deserve anything. All I want is what I work for.”
For Neal, the last several months have been particularly humbling. He’s never before missed significant time, let alone after a misdiagnosis.
“I have no ill will whatsoever. The Giants’ training staff has done everything that they can to help me get back healthy,” Neal said. “I mean, things like that happen. It’s nobody’s fault.
“It was the first time I’ve ever been injured, to that extent. First time getting surgery. But at the end of the day, I’m built for it, and I feel like I’ve come back stronger. So, if anything, I feel like it helped me.”
Neal will be brought along slowly in his return and was limited to individuals on Sunday. He recognizes there’s outside pressure on him to perform, especially now that his job is in peril, but he intends to remain focused on only the things he can control.
“In this business, in this line of work, and especially in this city, pressure is going to be there. But that’s not something that I think about because that’s not something that I create,” Neal said. “So, at the end of the day, I’m just going to focus on controlling what I can control, my attitude, how I approach the game, going out there and playing as well as I can.”
If Neal’s Sunday remarks are any indication, he’s clearly in a different headspace and just happy to be back. How things play out from here is anyone’s guess, but the big man is going to give it his all.
