EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – After one season out of football, Nate Solder is returning to the Giants and the NFL.
The Giants announced today that Solder has signed a new contract and will rejoin the team's offensive line.
Solder, 32, opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a testicular cancer survivor and his five-year-old son, Hudson, has been undergoing treatment for kidney cancer since he was an infant. In addition, Solder and his wife, Lexi, last spring welcomed a baby boy, Emerson.
After joining the Giants as a free agent on March 16, 2018, Solder started 32 consecutive games at left tackle. He missed only 57 of 2,037 offensive snaps, all of them in his second season. The 2019 season was the third in a row and the sixth in his career in which he played in every game and the fifth time he started each game.
In his absence last season, Andrew Thomas, the Giants' first-round draft choice in 2020, played left tackle, where he appeared in every game with 15 starts. Cam Fleming, who started all 16 games at right tackle, is a free agent. Promising second-year pro Matt Peart, a third-round selection last year, is a candidate to play that position. Solder last played on the right side as a rookie with New England in 2011, when he started 13 games there, including two in the postseason.
Solder played his first seven NFL seasons with the Patriots, for whom he played in four Super Bowls, winning two. Solder has started 127 of the 130 regular-season games and all 16 postseason games in which he's played.
Solder is a two-time nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, in 2017 with New England and 2019 with the Giants.
*In addition to Solder, the Giants formally announced the signing of wide receiver C.J. Board, defensive tackle Austin Johnson and long snapper Casey Kreiter.
In his first season with the Giants in 2019, Board played in 14 games with four starts. He caught 11 passes for 101 yards, with a long reception of 16 yards. Board missed two games with a concussion.
Board joined the Giants on Aug. 13, two days after he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his debut season with Jacksonville in 2019, Board played in four games and caught two passes for 31 yards, including a 23-yarder.
Johnson, 26, played in all 16 games as a reserve on the defensive line last season. He could see more playing time this year after the departure of Dalvin Tomlinson, who signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson collected 18 tackles (eight solo), 1.0 sack, two tackles for loss, one pass defensed and his first career forced fumble.
Kreiter, who joined the Giants last year after four seasons with the Denver Broncos, was the snapper on punts and placekicks in all 16 games.
View photos of Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder.
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills defeated the Giants, 28-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, right, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Nate Solder during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 23-17. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) plays against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up in a two-point stance during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. The Bear defeated the Giants 19-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday November 24, 2019 in Chicago (Evan Pinkus via AP)
OT Nate Solder (76) signs autographs after practice at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) runs during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Giants 19-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. The Lions defeated the Giants 31-26. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) in action against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. The Lions defeated the Giants 31-26. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Dallas won 37-18. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks New England Patriots defensive end John Simon (55) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder looks to block against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder lines up for a play against his former team the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) gets set at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills defeated the Giants, 28-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder waits for the snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 25-23. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) defends against the rush by the Dallas Cowboys during a NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. The Giants won 31-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) rests during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Sept. 8, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 35-17. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday September 8, 2019 in Arlington,Texas. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder waits for the snap of the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) talks with former teammate New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) following a NFL football preseason game Thursday, August 28, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) runs during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 25-23. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a week 13 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday December 2, 2018 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) pass blocks in action against the Tennessee Titans Sunday December 16, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, Landover, MD. The Giants defeated the Redskins 40-16. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 11 NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York won 38-35. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys' Maliek Collins, left, goes up against New York Giants' Nate Solder during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec., 30, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a week 12 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) walks off the field after the NFL week 10 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Giants won the game 27-23. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, Landover, MD. The Giants defeated the Redskins 40-16. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 12 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 25-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during a week 12 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 25-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) in action against Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 25-22. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 in Atlanta. The Falcons won 23-20. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith (94) during a week 8 NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. Washington won 20-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) in action during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Giants defeated the 49ers, 27-23. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) in action during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 20-13. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder gets set a the line prior to a play against the Dallas Cowboys during a NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won, 20-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a week 4 NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday September 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) runs during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jaguars won 20-15. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) talks with Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) following a week 2 NFL football game on Sunday September 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder (76) waits for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Houston. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) runs during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jaguars won 20-15. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks during a NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants won 22-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) blocks New York Jets linebacker Josh Martin (95) during a NFL preseason football game on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants won 22-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Friday August 17, 2018 in Detroit (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Friday August 17, 2018 in Detroit (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets on Friday August 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) during a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Friday August 17, 2018 in Detroit (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants won 22-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
