Evan Neal might have angered the football gods somewhere along the line.
The benched former first-round draft pick, who has been champing at the bit for another opportunity, could play his first snaps of the season for the Giants at right tackle in place of an injured Jermaine Eluemunor.
In that case, he will be thrown into the fire with the Steelers and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt on the opposite side.
“My hunger never went anywhere,” Neal told The Post, tapping his chest with a closed fist. “But I understand that I can’t control a lot of my situation right now — I can’t sub myself into the game. I’m just ready. I’m not going to be too antsy. I’m not going to get in my head about it too much. If called upon, I’ll be ready.”
Eluemunor did not practice Friday due to a hip injury, leaving head coach Brian Daboll no more than “hopeful” before practice of his starter’s game-day availability.
Neal stepped in with the first-team offense.
But Eluemunor after practice sounded like he expects to face Watt, who has 4.5 sacks this season after 19 last season and a NFL-record-tying 22.5 in 2021. Watt lines up exclusively over the right tackle.
“There’s no way I’d miss this opportunity,” Eluemunor said. “I’ve played banged up before.”
If Neal starts — or has to replace Eluemunor at some point — then he will see his first action since Nov. 5, 2023.
He was originally diagnosed with an ankle sprain, which later led to ankle surgery when a broken bone was discovered.
“I felt great out there,” Neal said after practice. “Patience is a virtue that has to be learned. This situation has taught me a lot about patience.”
Since Neal’s last game, the Giants signed Eluemunor in free agency to the starting right tackle job, turned to fellow backup Josh Ezeudu over Neal as the jumbo tight end and as the new starting left tackle when Andrew Thomas underwent season-ending foot surgery, and signed Chris Hubbard off the Broncos practice squad to potentially play on either side.
But the Giants are running out of places to hide Neal, who isn’t looking for cover against Watt, anyway. He feels more mature after seeing the game through a different lens while sidelined.
“Hey, that’s what this league is about,” Neal said. “Obviously, he’s a formidable opponent. But I’ve been preparing. If I get my moment, I’m going to do everything I can to make the most of it.”
For long-term planning, the Giants need to find out whether the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft has taken any steps forward after a disappointing first two seasons. He has allowed 81 pressures and 10 sacks in 20 career games.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka offered a vote of confidence in an improved Neal.
“We see it in practice,” Kafka said. “We see it in individual [drills] and we watch those things and try to detail up whatever we can to help him improve.”