Neal was selected seventh overall by the Giants in 2022 to play right tackle. Injuries have led to just 29 games played in three seasons for the 24-year-old, including 27 starts. Neal has struggled amidst the injuries; he posted a 61.2 PFF grade last season, good for No. 73 out of 140 qualifying tackles. The Giants signed James Hudson III and Stone Forsythe to back up at tackle, leaving Neal - who graded better as a run blocker than a pass blocker - to kick inside and compete for the right guard spot. It is a contract year for Neal, so his attempt to become a starter at guard will be crucial to watch throughout the season.

Rather than getting $16.685 million guaranteed, Neal, who has started 14 games the last three years after being picked seventh overall in the draft, will become a free agent after the 2025 season. Neal had a career-best 61.2 PFF offensive grade in 2024, a season he spent mostly at right tackle, buoyed by some strong efforts as a run blocker. He’ll head into 2025 as a backup behind Jermaine Eluemunior and Andrew Thomas and isn’t guaranteed a roster spot.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll called Neal and left tackle Jermaine Eluemanor week to week with hip and quad injuries. Drew Lock will be behind backups at both tackle spots this week and possibly for the rest of the season.

We don’t know the severity of Neal’s injury at this time, but it was the last thing Neal needed in his first return to action since Week 9 of last season. Neal was activated off the PUP list last week after being sidelined with an ankle injury through much of training camp, so it’s possible this is the same ankle that’s been plaguing him for the last 10 months or so.