The MRI has returned on Evan Neal’s knee, and it’s not as bad as the New York Giants thought.
Neal suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in Sunday’s victory for the Giants over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
RELATED: Former Alabama OT Evan Neal suffers knee injury in Giants win over Jaguars
He got selected at No. 7 overall by the Giants in this year’s NFL Draft. Neal, a former All-American offensive tackle, has assisted New York to a 6-1 start on the season. According to Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic, he told beat reporters for the Giants ‘I’ll be alright’ as he walked out of the locker room with a brace on his left knee. Neal was one of the best tackle prospects in the draft.
Evan Neal as he walks out of locker room. He’s got a brace on left knee: “I’ll be alright”
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) October 23, 2022
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Neal will miss three to four weeks.
#Giants OT Evan Neal is expected to miss 3-4 weeks because of his MCL injury, per source. All in all, good news for the first-round pick.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 24, 2022
The good news is that it’s not a season-ending injury for the former first-round pick.
He can make his return to the starting lineup on Thursday, Nov. 24 against the Dallas Cowboys or Sunday, Dec. 4 against the Washington Commanders. Neal helped the Crimson Tide to an undefeated College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
