The New York Giants have experienced some turbulence in the secondary in recent weeks.
On Sunday, New York lost to the New Orleans Saints, 14-11, in a surprisingly stout defensive effort. The team was without starting cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Dru Phillips, along with superstar defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and starting linebacker Bobby Okereke.
Thanks in part to strong performances from recent practice squad elevations/signees in Casey Rogers and Elijah Garcia, along with the best game of corner Tre Hawkins' young career, the defense exceeded expectations.
However, Hawkins suffered a season-ending back injury in the loss, leaving a depleted secondary even more vulnerable.
As such, New York addressed the cornerback room and defensive line with a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday.
Signed defensive Lineman Ross Blacklock to practice squad
Signed quarterback Tim Boyle to practice squad
Signed cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe to practice squad
Signed cornerback Azizi Hearn to practice squad
Placed center Jimmy Morrissey on practice squad injured reserve
Placed cornerback Tre Hawkins on injured reserve
Signed cornerback Greg Stroman to active roster
These moves don't come as much of a surprise. With Rogers and Garcia signed to the active roster, the practice squad was thin at the position. Boyle, after being activated for Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys, was waived ahead of Week 14, leaving New York with two quarterbacks. Now that he's back, he'll likely be the emergency third quarterback as a game day inactive.
At corner, replacing Hawkins' spot will be Stroman who also saw playing time in the loss. His biggest fingerprint on the contest was perhaps the game's biggest blunder – a holding call to take a punt return touchdown off the board – but he's already played in three games this season.
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With the injuries in the secondary and Stroman on the active roster, it makes sense to add corners to the practice squad. Hearn and Boye-Doe fit the billing there and give the Giants a chance to look at potential back-end contributors for next year's team.
As Stroman and Art Green take on additional snaps (depending on the health of the aforementioned starters), the possibility of additional roster shuffling remains. Those two acquisitions help New York remain flexible down the home stretch.
While the Giants got promising returns from its younger players in Week 14, Sunday's date with the Baltimore Ravens poses a much tougher challenge on both sides of the ball.
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This story was originally published December 10, 2024, 10:20 PM.