It will be Neal’s first start this season. The No. 7 overall pick in 2022 has played in just two offensive snaps this season.
Neal will start at right tackle on Sunday at Allianz Arena against the Panthers. Jermaine Eluemunor, who started the first nine games at right tackle, will move to left tackle. He will be the Giants’ third starting left tackle in four games since losing Andrew Thomas to a season-ending foot injury.
The Giants (2-7) first tried Joshua Ezeudu at left tackle before recently acquired Chris Hubbard started the final two weeks. But the Giants ultimately decided to move Eluemunor to get Neal on the field.
Coach Brian Daboll has been reluctant to make the move to Neal in recent weeks.
“Hubbard has played 58 games, or 59 after the Pittsburgh game. He has good experience and some familiarity with what we do,” Daboll said last week as his reason. “I think he’s getting better as he learns the system and communicates with the guys. We’ll see where we are, but he’s a real pro. He did a lot of good things and got better this week as we went along.”
The thought process seemingly changed this week as the Giants prepare to face the Panthers. Carolina (2-7) is last in the NFL with just 11 sacks.
Neal is a former University of Alabama standout who has struggled in his first two years in the league. His 2023 season was cut short by an ankle injury that required surgery late last year. The ankle recovery wasn’t easy and Neal wasn’t ready for spring or the start of training camp this summer. He sent him to the bench.
The plan throughout the spring was for Neal to return as the starting right tackle. Eluemunor was signed as a free agent and was initially placed at left guard. But when Neal wasn’t ready for the start of training camp, the team moved Eluemunor to his more natural position of right tackle.
The Giants have been reluctant to release him ever since. Eluemunor has made it known that his preference is to remain at right tackle.
“Well, I would say Jermaine went to right tackle and Jermaine has played well,” Daboll said recently. “So, we need [him] “Still playing well, but Jermaine earned his place.”
Neal, 24, is looking to save his career in New York with this last chance. His 82.2% pass rush win rate since the start of 2022 is the third-lowest among qualified tackles.
KPRC 2 Houston was the first to report that Neal would start Sunday in Munich.
