Giants Demote Johnson, Cut Boykin After Jackson Signing

SEPT 2 – JOHNSON TO PRACTICE SQUAD (AGAIN) – It’s been an exhausting week for New York Giants fullback Jakob Johnson.

The Giants cut him on Aug. 27, then added him to the practice squad a day later. Then they signed him to the active roster, and after signing corner Adoree’ Jackson, cut him again.

On Monday, New York added him to the practice squad once again. But every move this time of year has a corresponding move attached. Johnson was cut to make room for Jackson. He was added to the practice squad to the detriment of receiver Miles Boykin, who was subsequently released.

That’s a relatively surprising release given how well-positioned he seemed to make the initial 53-man roster. Both he and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are big-bodied receivers with special teams value. The latter won out.

At least for now, that’s cost Boykin more than just a roster spot.

SEPT 1 – JOSH JACOBS – On Thursday, The Athletic ran a story on Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs and his free agency journey from the Las Vegas Raiders.

The New York Giants were named among potential suitors.

“The Giants came on strong with an offer between $3 million and $4 million more than he eventually accepted,” Pompei wrote. “But Jacobs was turned off by the New York taxes, lifestyle, media and the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium.”

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However, it’s worth mentioning that much of the Giants beat contradicted Jacobs’ story.

“To my understanding -- and we all know I pay a lot of attention to RB contracts -- #Giants never made Josh Jacobs an actual offer,” Ryan Dunleavy posted on Twitter .

Art Stapleton would follow suit.

“My reporting throughout the off-season does not corroborate what Josh Jacobs told The Athletic regarding the Giants and an offer,” he wrote .

AUG 30 – OWENS ASSIGNED – It’s been a tumultuous week for New York Giants safety Gervarrius Owens.

Owens made a decent bid for the final safety spot on the Giants roster, arguably the weakest point of depth on the team. He played well in the preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, but was sidelined for the final portion of camp.

He made a brief appearance at Tuesday’s practice, suggesting he had made the 53-man roster, but was one of New York’s final cuts instead.

The team opted for safety Anthony Johnson for the last secondary spot.

However, on Friday, the Giants signed Owens to the practice squad, opting to prioritize safety depth over linebacker depth ( per Jordan Raanan ). In a corresponding move, New York released linebacker K.J. Cloyd.

AUG 28 – ON THE WIRE – In the wake of rosters being capped at 53 players, hundreds of players have hit the waiver wire.

The New York Giants, with question marks at the bottom of their roster, were expected to be one of the league’s most active participants in the waiver wire frenzy. But by noon on Wednesday, only one of their waiver claims was successful.

The team signed safety Anthony Johnson off of waivers after he was released by the Green Bay Packers.

Johnson, a seventh-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, was a deep safety who also saw special teams snaps – particularly on the kickoff coverage unit.

According to Ryan Dunleavy , New York cut safety Gervarrius Owens as the corresponding move to Johnson's signing.

AUG 26 – TWO MORE CUTS – As Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline looms, the New York Giants are gradually making their way from 90 roster spots to 53.

The first 10 cuts came in a wave on Sunday, likely indicative of them not being considered for a roster or practice squad spot.

New York would add two more cuts on Sunday – safety Jonathan Sutherland and defensive lineman Timmy Horne.

Sutherland fared well in the team’s second preseason game against the Houston Texans, but was essentially filler for an injured safety room. He did not play against the New York Jets on Saturday, sealing his fate.

Horne, meanwhile, did play on Saturday, but only for a single defensive snap. A torn Achilles ended his season.

AUG 25 – O-LINE UPDATES – It was easy to feel queasy about the state of the New York Giants offensive line when the lone starter playing in Saturday’s 10-6 loss to the New York Jets, center John Michael Schmitz, left with an ankle injury.

Right tackle Evan Neal would join him with a quick hook.

Fortunately, though, both players confirmed their status for Week 1 after the game.

“Just got rolled up on,” Schmitz said, via Pat Leonard . “Life of a center.”

He’ll have an MRI tomorrow but remained unconcerned.

Likewise, head coach Brian Daboll said Neal was on a pitch count, and his tweaked ankle is of little worry.