Jermaine Eluemunor has had an eventful start to training camp with the New York Giants.
Soon after joining the team on Tuesday, Eluemunor was told he would switch from left guard to right tackle because Evan Neal was not ready to play following ankle surgery he had in the offseason.
During the first practice, while participating in an 11-on-11 drill, Eluemunor, who was born in London and played high school football in New Jersey, collided with Pro Bowl tackle Dexter Lawrence. The impact, which hit his midsection and rib area, caused him to fall and leave the field for a few minutes.
Eluemunor, who signed a two-year, $14 million contract in March, is part of a revamped offensive line aimed at improving from the previous season, where the team allowed a franchise-record 85 sacks. There were concerns about a serious injury.
“Nothing serious,” coach Brian Daboll said on Thursday. “It’s just two players colliding by accident.”
Eluemunor explained that he was trying to block Lawrence, who reacted by lowering his shoulder into Eluemunor’s rib cage.
“Dex thought he was being trapped so he obviously lowered his shoulder and it just so happened that he lowered his shoulder into my rib cage,” Eluemunor said. “So it wasn’t the most fun pain I’ve had to deal with, but I’m out here today, so that’s what really matters.”
Eluemunor did not practice on Thursday. He spent time with new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who had previously coached him with the Raiders, and watched third-year lineman Josh Ezeudu play right tackle with the first team.
“We were just talking about my assignment, making sure I knew what I was doing, and just my little opinions on things, and what I would do differently in certain situations, and blocking assignments,” Eluemunor said about his discussions with Bricillo. “I’m just having to refresh everything now that I’m back at tackle. Like I said, I’m learning, but it’s more just me asking them little schematic things, and him telling me the answers.”
Eluemunor stated he is willing to play any position the Giants need. Neal, drafted seventh overall in 2022, had surgery in January but is expected to return soon. He has been working with trainers during the first days of camp.
Right now, the Giants’ new offensive line features Andrew Thomas at left tackle, Aaron Stinnie at left guard, John Michael Schmitz, who is in his second year, at center, Jon Runyan Jr. at right guard, and Josh Ezeudu at right tackle. Stinnie and Runyan were also added as free agents.
The Giants’ receivers have been impressive during the first two days of camp.
Quarterback Daniel Jones threw long touchdown passes to first-round pick Malik Nabers and second-year player Jalin Hyatt. Nabers also made an impressive catch in the end zone, reaching around top cornerback Deonte Banks, who was drafted in the first round last year.
“I like competing against Leek (Nabers),” Banks said. “It’s really fun. He’s good. He’s really explosive. Real quick. I like him.”
The two players faced off several times on Thursday.
“I love it,” Banks said. “We are just competing. We talk to each other, and it’s really fun. I already knew he was a talker. I’m always talking back. Every time.”
