On the same day that the New York Giants committed publicly to veteran signing Jermaine Eluemunor as their first-team right tackle — at least until Evan Neal returns from the PUP list — the newcomer left practice with a worrisome injury.
“The trainers brought the cart over for Jermaine Eluemunor,” SNY’s Connor Hughes reported live from the scene on July 24, the first day of training camp. “They were preparing to put him on it, then he elected to walk. He is now walking off the field with trainers & back to locker room. He looks to be favoring his left arm.”
Hughes added that “the Giants were relying heavily on Eluemunor this year — either as a starting G or replacement for Evan Neal.”
A short time after, The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll shared video of the moment Eluemunor went down. In the clip, it appears the injury occurred on a collision with two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence around the left arm/midsection of Eluemunor.
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan later clarified Eluemunor’s injury as an “apparent rib injury” but could not comment on the severity of the damage.
Before practice, Giants general manager Joe Schoen said Neal was “not far off” from returning from injury, but neither Schoen nor head coach Brian Daboll would commit to the former first-round selection transitioning to guard.
“We’re going to put Eluemunor at right tackle today — actually for the next however long it takes [Neal] to get back, and then we’ll revisit the situation,” Daboll noted at their opening press conference on the morning of Wednesday, July 24.
Fellow free agent signing Aaron Stinnie was starting at left guard Wednesday with Neal sidelined and Eluemunor filling in at right tackle.
Giants Media & Fans React to Potential Jermaine Eluemunor Injury at Training Camp
Any extended absence for Eluemunor could be detrimental to the Giants offense — which is attempting to bounce back from a season plagued by injuries at OL and quarterback.
Media and fans reacted to Eluemunor’s injury on social media.
“Jermaine Eluemunor hasn’t missed a game in 2 1/2 seasons, gets hurt in the very first training camp practice. Welcome to the house of horrors that is the New York Giants offensive line,” a Giants Country podcaster wrote. Adding: “Fingers crossed he’s ok.”
“Not great injury luck day one for Big Blue,” stated Perry Sook of WPIX. “Replacement for injured OT Evan Neal, Jermaine Eluemunor clearly shaken up during team phase. Stayed down for several minutes before walking off on his own power.”
“Jermaine Eluemunor leaving practice while Evan Neal is on PUP sucks,” said Bobby Skinner of Talkin’ Giants. “Need him healthy no matter what happens with Neal.”
And finally, Empire Sports Media managing editor Anthony Rivardo commented more jokingly: “Honestly, a rib shot from Dexter Lawrence would probably kill me, so I have to give Jermaine Eluemunor major props for walking it off. Feel like this could’ve been a lot worse. Hopefully he can recover and return to the field quickly.”
Notes on Daniel Jones & Offense From Day 1 of Giants Training Camp
Day one of training camp is typically a lighter practice, and that was the case for Big Blue — despite the injury.
Skinner had quarterback Daniel Jones going 8-of-14 passing for the session, while Hughes settled on a “rusty” 7-of-12 for the QB1.
“Essentially everything [from Jones was] within 8 yards outside of rollouts & [a] Malik Nabers drop,” Skinner added. Hughes confirmed this, calling the Nabers play a 30-yard attempt that “was a bit delayed.”
The most popular wide receiver on the day was Wan’Dale Robinson underneath, according to both Skinner and Hughes.
As for the second-team offense, backup quarterback Drew Lock went 5-of-8, according to Skinner, “with a tipped-up [interception] by Boogie Basham” and one deep connection downfield on a “great catch by [tight end] Lawrence Cager.”
Skinner deemed Cager’s reception “out of bounds” while Hughes called it a touchdown, so it was likely a close one that could have gone either way.
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Video of Worrisome Giants Injury at 1st Practice of Training Camp Surfaces