On Saturday night the Giants took on the cross-town rival Jets in the final game of the preseason. Not only did the G-Men take the loss, 10-6, but they lost some key pieces along their offensive line.
Offensive tackle/guard and former first-round pick Evan Neal was set to play around 20-25 snaps in the preseason finale. On his 21st snap, Neal was rolled up and taken out of the game.
After the game, Neal confirmed that he wasn’t actually taken out because of an ankle injury but because of the snap count. “First of all, I wasn’t out with an ankle injury…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.” He said.
Second-year center, John Michael-Schmitz also suffered an ankle injury on a failed fourth-down attempt in the first quarter. He was quickly ruled out which was cause for concern for Giants’ fans.
Despite this, head coach Brian Daboll spoke to the media on Sunday saying, “I saw John Michael right before I came in here. He was in the meal room. He’s in good spirits. I want to make sure it’s right from what I get from the doctors and trainers. But he’s walking around fine.”
JMS also talked to reporters and when asked if he was concerned about missing week one he said, “No, I’m not worried about it”, according to New York Giants beat writer and NFL columnist for The Record, Art Stapleton.
The New York Post has confirmed that both offensive linemen went in for an MRI and they both came back clean, meaning Neal and Michael-Schmitz are expected to be good to go on September 8th in the Giants’ home opener.
