Nate Solder Expects To Be Ready For Training Camp

Despite undergoing offseason ankle surgery, Giants lineman Nate Solder is expecting to be ready for training camp. The veteran left tackle told Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com that there’s “no reason to think” he won’t be good to go by the end of July (Twitter link).

Solder had previously been dealing with bone spurs, and we learned in May that the lineman had underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean out his ankle. Fortunately, it wasn’t considered a “major surgery,” and the 31-year-old was expected to be recovered by early August. Solder’s accelerated timeline is good news for the Giants, as the offensive line allowed 47 sacks last season.

The former first-rounder joined the Giants last offseason after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Patriots. His new four-year, $62 million contract ($35MM guaranteed) made him the NFL’s highest-paid lineman at the time, and Solder proceeded to award the team’s investment by starting all 16 games in 2018. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked Solder 21st among 80 eligible offensive tackles.

If Solder needs a bit more time coming back, the Giants could turn to Brian Mihalik or Jylan Ware, or they could consider swapping right tackle Chad Wheeler to the left side of the offensive line. Either way, it sounds like the Giants will have their top lineman ready to go for the start of the regular season, although it’s uncertain if he’ll be protecting veteran Eli Manning or rookie Daniel Jones.

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