Seven months after present process surgical procedure to restore a fractured ankle, offensive sort out Evan Neal returned to the sphere for the New York Giants.
Neal was activated from the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) record on Sunday and at last rejoined his teammates. Nevertheless, Neal returned to considerably unfamiliar and unsure territory.
In his absence, veteran Jermaine Eluemunor has assumed the beginning function at proper sort out and seems unlikely to give up it. That leaves Neal as considerably of an odd man out, however he’s keen to embrace no matter function it’s the Giants want him to fill.
“No matter function that the crew has for me, I’m going to embrace it. So, whether or not that’s beginning or not beginning, I’m right here to contribute to the crew, and I’m going to do all the things in my energy to take action,” Neal advised reporters.
“I’m not owed something, and I can’t really feel like I deserve something. All I need is what I work for.”
For Neal, the final a number of months have been significantly humbling. He’s by no means earlier than missed vital time, not to mention after a misdiagnosis.
“I’ve no in poor health will in any respect. The Giants’ coaching workers has accomplished all the things that they’ll to assist me get again wholesome,” Neal stated. “I imply, issues like that occur. It’s no one’s fault.
“It was the primary time I’ve ever been injured, to that extent. First time getting surgical procedure. However on the finish of the day, I’m constructed for it, and I really feel like I’ve come again stronger. So, if something, I really feel prefer it helped me.”
Neal might be introduced alongside slowly in his return and was restricted to people on Sunday. He acknowledges there’s exterior stress on him to carry out, particularly now that his job is in peril, however he intends to stay targeted on solely the issues he can management.
“On this enterprise, on this line of labor, and particularly on this metropolis, stress goes to be there. However that’s not one thing that I take into consideration as a result of that’s not one thing that I create,” Neal stated. “So, on the finish of the day, I’m simply going to give attention to controlling what I can management, my angle, how I strategy the sport, going on the market and taking part in in addition to I can.”
If Neal’s Sunday remarks are any indication, he’s clearly in a unique headspace and simply glad to be again. How issues play out from right here is anybody’s guess, however the large man goes to offer it his all.