They surrendered a 63-yard punt return during yet another miserable performance in Week 15, but the New York Giants have reacted by using their top waiver claim to snag a special teams demon from the New England Patriots, on the same day Big Blue made a key decision about the roster status of draft flop Evan Neal.
Linebacker Caleb Murphy was claimed from the Pats on Tuesday, December 16. The move was reported by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, who noted the 2-12 Giants had “the top waiver priority” for the former undrafted free agent.
There was room for Murphy once the Giants waived Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo. His departure was confirmed by Giants.com Managing Editor Dan Salamone, who also reported 2022 NFL draft seventh-overall pick Neal is designated to return from injured reserve.
Neal had been out with a hamstring problem, but this latest move could finally be a way back to the roster for a player who’s never lived up to his draft billing.
Giants Needed Special Teams Reboot
The Giants couldn’t ignore the need to overhaul their special teams after enduring more than a few disasters in football’s third phase during the 29-21 defeat to the Washington Commanders.
Those setbacks included Koo missing two field goals to compound what was already a troubled stint with the Giants. The 31-year-old had already been a central figure in a kicking calamity that went viral when the Giants were beaten 33-15 by the Patriots on Monday Night Football in Week 13.
That botch was compounded by Koo’s issues against the Commanders, but the kicking game wasn’t the only problem facing the Giants. They also needed help in the coverage units after rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane broke free for a 63-yard touchdown at MetLife Stadium.
Lane’s score followed New England slot cornerback Marcus Jones burning the Giants to score on a 94-yard punt return. This many failures in kick coverage weren’t about to go away without any help.
Murphy can provide it as the latest linebacker the Giants are turning to for improvement after they added Chris Board from the Baltimore Ravens last offseason. The Giants had pursued the star special-teamer for years, but unfortunately, Board landed on injured reserve after Week 2, so there’s an obvious place for Murphy to make an impact.
The Giants are still prepared to wait for Neal to do the same.
Evan Neal Gets Another Chance
Not shutting Neal down for the final four games of the season shows the Giants are prepared to give the floundering offensive lineman another chance. It’s a surprising choice after Neal had a torrid time at right tackle, before failing to make a switch to guard work.
For all his struggles, the Giants still resisted a potential trade involving Neal back in November. It was another show of faith in the former Alabama standout who hasn’t been able to impose his 6-foot-7 and 340-pound frame in a dominant way at this level.
Neal’s chances of justifying whatever faith the Giants still have in his abilities appears limited. Especially since the steady veteran who replaced him is someone the Giants may want to retain in free agency.
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