Evan Neal inactive for Giants vs. Commanders in Week 1

Evan Neal’s career as a guard is off to a dubious start.

After taking first-team reps in rotation for the first half of Giants training camp, the former first-round draft pick was a healthy scratch Sunday against the Commanders.

Not only did Neal fail to beat out incumbent starting right guard Greg Van Roten, but he lost out to veteran Aaron Stinnie as the first guard off the bench.

The Giants gave Neal every opportunity to win the starting job in his walk-year after converting from right tackle, where he underachieved over three seasons.

But Neal’s balance problems staying on his feet still resurfaced and left little question to neutral observers that the 35-year-old Van Roten is the better player.

Van Roten played every offensive snap for the Giants last season and re-signed to a one-year free-agent deal.

The Giants are on the hook for $4 million guaranteed to Neal in base salary and roster bonus, but it soon will become a question of whether he will make it through the season on the roster if he has no defined role.

Neal was on the field in sneakers during warmups on Sunday.

The inactives also included starting left tackle Andrew Thomas – who was listed as doubtful due to a foot injury – and rookie third-round pick defensive tackle Darius Alexander.

The Giants were high on Alexander as an immediate answer to the run defense woes, and now he has a lot of ground to make up on D.J. Davidson and practice-squad call-up Elijah Garcia. 

The others were rookie tight end Thomas Fidone and safety Beau Brade.

Jameis Winston is the third-string quarterback, available to play only if Wilson and Jaxson Dart are injured and cannot return.