Offensive Tackle Evan Neal
Q: If they had to put a label on the injury report – full, limited – what would you have been today?
A: I was full today.
Q: So, you're ready to be back?
A: Oh, yeah. I felt good out there today. Felt good to be back.
Q: Any lingering effects at all?
A: I didn't feel anything. Felt good, really promising.
Q: What have these last five weeks been like just waiting for that time to get back out there?
A: Pretty much just rehabbing and taking the time to just evaluate the previous games that I've played. Like I said previously, it just gave me a different perspective. But I definitely like the perspective of me being out there rather than being on the sideline.
Q: Can you learn things on the sideline?
A: Yeah, taking visual reps, mental reps. Just taking notes even if you're not up to play that week, keeping up with the game plan and stuff like that. Get a new perspective.
Q: Do you feel like part of the calvary riding to the rescue? I mean, it's you, it's (Tight End) Daniel (Bellinger), it's (Outside Linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari). It's a lot of guys…
A: I wouldn't word it like that, but we are just ready to get back out here and make a positive impact and hopefully help the team win. That's what it's about.
Q: How much do you think this can help the run game, having a bunch of you guys back at the same time?
A: I feel like it can help the run game tremendously. It's all just about execution. That's the bottom line. I'm just excited to keep working this week, getting back into the groove of it, getting those reps and seeing what happens on Sunday.
Q: Did you like being in pads today?
A: Yes, sir. I definitely got my live reps that I've been asking for.
Q: How much do you think that played into it? Did he (Head Coach Brian Daboll) say anything about that – about not just you personally, but you have a bunch of guys coming back? So, to get the reps with the pads, it seems like it would be beneficial to you guys who are in that situation.
A: You can see where you're at. You know, the injured guys can see how much you can do. If you need to keep going or if you need to reel it back. That's definitely the benefit of having padded practices. Obviously, in the NFL, it's unrealistic to have padded practices every day. I know in some places they do or whatever. It's just good to go out there and take those live reps during the week.
Q: Is that a college thing, though – everybody had padded practices all the time?
A: Yeah, that's a college thing – especially at Alabama for sure.
Q: What did you think of (Commanders Running Back) Brian Robinson's big hat?
A: That's B-Rob (laughs). That's just B-Rob. He's always doing something quirky or funny like that – just different. That's just him.
Q: Are you happy for him – how he's bounced back this season?
A: I'm extremely happy for B-Rob, especially his tenure at Alabama – virtually sitting there and really waiting on his time, fighting a good fight, getting opportunities, getting to the NFL and then the adversity he overcame – the situation with the shooting and whatnot – you know how he bounced back from that. I'm extremely proud of him. I'm ready to swap that jersey this weekend.
Q: How did you hear about it?
A: The shooting?
Q: Social media?
A: Social media, yeah.
Q: Will you be happy if he doesn't do well Sunday?
A: (Laughs) Well, we aren't on the same team anymore. Obviously, I want him to do well for his individual career. But I don't want him to do well because I want us to win. I'll put it like that.
