Evan Neal will remain a tackle when he returns

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll addressed the media on Sunday morning ahead of the team’s ninth day of summer training camp.

The Giants had an off day on Saturday and will hit the field solo on Sunday before they host the Detroit Lions for joint practices on Monday and Tuesday.

They open their preseason schedule on Thursday versus the Lions at MetLife Stadium.

The Lions are coming, the Lions are coming … #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/rqJQlyRNFk

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 4, 2024

As usual, Daboll opened with a health status report. Center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) will be held out again. Recently signed free-agent Greg Van Roten will continue to take first-team snaps at center in Schmitz’s absence.

Wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (knee) and tight end Jack Stoll (concussion) also will not work Sunday.

Offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu (dehydration) will be back on the field. Daboll also said wide receivers Darius Slayton and Isaiah McKenzie (hip/back) were “fine.”

Evan Neal (ankle) remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He will play tackle when he returns, the head coach stated firmly. However, Dabes stopped short of saying when that return is expected or if Neal will return to his starting role.

Daboll also praised Jermaine Eluemunor for handling the right tackle job while Neal rehabs.

Brian Daboll sheds no new light on Evan Neal or his timeline when faced with about a dozen questions about him today. Only says he will remain out thru the Lions preseason game and that he will continue to work at tackle whenever he returns #Giants @NYDNSports pic.twitter.com/X64oX7ZmbD

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 4, 2024

The Giants will practice in shells on Sunday before the back-to-back scrimmages/workouts with the Lions this week. Daboll said he had a lot of respect for Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell, who he gave his first coaching job back in 2011 when both were with the Miami Dolphins.