Giants lose OLs Evan Neal, Ben Bredeson to knee injuries

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The New York Giants lost two starting offensive linemen in the first half of Sunday's 23-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars with knee injuries, including rookie right tackle Evan Neal.

Starting left guard Ben Bredeson also was ruled out for the remainder of the contest with a right knee injury.

Multiple sources said they believe the initial thinking is that both Neal and Bredeson avoided serious injury. There were no ACL tears. Both players will undergo further tests on Monday.

Neal's injury occurred on a running play early in the second quarter, after Jaguars defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris landed on the back of Neal's left leg.

Neal, the seventh overall pick in this year's draft out of the University of Alabama, was in serious pain on the field after the play. He eventually limped off before being checked in the blue medical tent on the sideline. Neal took a cart into the locker room after getting checked.

The injuries left the Giants extremely short-handed on their offensive line. Rookie Josh Ezeudu stepped in for Bredeson at left guard. Tyre Phillips filled in at right tackle.

Tight end Daniel Bellinger was also ruled out with an ugly looking eye injury. His left eye was swollen, bleeding and all but closed when he left the game late in the second quarter.

Bellinger was taken to a local hospital and released. He returned to the stadium and flew home with the team.

The Giants didn't provide specifics on the injury, other than that it didn't look pretty. Bellinger will see an ophthalmologist on Monday in New York.

"He got poked in the eye and I'd say his eye looks terrible right now," coach Brian Daboll said. "He looked like he took a pretty good hook shot there. Pretty swollen."

Bellinger left the locker room with an ice pack on his eye.