The Giants’ non-existent secondary depth — and their need for special teams reinforcement — warranted three waiver claims on defensive backs Wednesday, plus the expected signing of former Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson.
“They can handle it,” head coach Brian Daboll said of getting players ready quickly for the Sept. 11 regular season opener. “Most of these guys are pros and can handle it. You just stay with them a little bit longer and meet and get them ready.”
Giants GM Joe Schoen claimed four players total from other teams’ Tuesday cuts: offensive lineman Jack Anderson (Eagles), corner Justin Layne (Steelers), safety Jason Pinnock (Jets) and safety Nick McCloud (Bills).
How thin is the Giants’ roster? The Jets had seven players claimed by other teams on Wednesday. The Giants had none.
To make room for the additions, Schoen placed three players on injured reserve: offensive guard Shane Lemieux (left foot), edge rusher Elerson Smith (right foot) and corner Rodarius Williams (undisclosed).
Each player must miss a minimum of four regular season games. Offensive lineman Max Garcia also was cut and signed to the practice squad.
Another player will need to be cut when Jefferson, 30, officially signs after taking a physical. The veteran safety has only appeared in 11 games the past three years, but he is familiar with defensive coordinator Don Martindale’s scheme.
Lemieux’s trip to injured reserve confirms the Giants will need a new starting left guard for at least four weeks, if not longer. Ben Bredeson is the team’s best option for now.
Anderson, 23, is a developmental player who can play both guard and center. He’s appeared in two career games.
Schoen helped draft him in the 2021 seventh round for the Bills, and Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown helped sign him away from Buffalo to the Eagles last September.
“I remember we didn’t want to lose him,” Daboll said. “But he had an opportunity to go and get claimed. I’m looking forward to working with him again. He can play inside — either spot — and he can play center, too.”
Pinnock, 23, and McCloud, 24, have defensive and special teams experience, but in only 14 career games combined. McCloud was a Bills practice squadder under Schoen.
Layne, 24, played in 43 games for the Steelers over the past three seasons. He is clearly here to help Thomas McGaughey’s special teams unit, at least.
Garcia, DT Nick Williams, LB Austin Calitro and TE Tanner Hudson did not practice with the team on Wednesday because they had to be released briefly to make way for the waiver claims. But after Lemieux, Smith and Williams went on IR, they were all re-signed — Calitro, Williams and Hudson to the active roster.
PRACTICE REPORT
Inside linebacker Blake Martinez was excused from Wednesday’s practice for personal reasons, the team said. And there were 15 practice squad signings who practiced: QB Davis Webb, RB Jashaun Corbin, WR C.J. Board, WR Jaylon Moore, TE Austin Allen, OL Will Holden, OL Garrett McGhin, OL Roy Mbaeteka, DL Ryder Anderson, edge Quincy Roche, CB Zyon Gilbert, CB Darren Evans, CB Harrison Hand, S Trenton Thompson and S Nate Meadors. … Tight end Daniel Bellinger has switched to No. 82 and was jogging as he works through the concussion protocol.
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