Reinforcements: Giants Sign Depth Lineman

SEPT 10 – MAYS INSURANCE – Another day meant another roster move for New York Giants fullback Jakob Johnson, who has bounced between the roster and practice squad seemingly numerous times since the cut down to 53 players.

On Tuesday, his transaction was joined by two more transactions.

Dan Salomone reported that the team had signed interior lineman Cade Mays to the practice squad, and in a corresponding move, released lineman Marcellus Johnson from the practice squad.

Mays struggled this preseason but was a strong run blocker in limited time last season.

He was initially a sixth-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2022.

SEPT 9 – REINFORCEMENTS – The New York Giants did their best to start Week 1 at rock bottom, losing 28-6 to the Minnesota Vikings.

New York looked rudderless on offense, headlined by quarterback Daniel Jones’ struggles. But without an imminent change under center, the Giants had to look elsewhere for reinforcements.

Subsequently, the team signed receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette to the practice squad, per Ian Rapoport . He was most recently with the Carolina Panthers.

In a corresponding move, New York released linebacker Carter Coughlin to the practice squad injured reserve.

Smith-Marsette is additional receiver depth, while also adding special teams versatility as a kick returner, made more important by receiver Gunner Olszewski’s pregame injury.

SEPT 7 – TWO LINEBACKERS UP – The New York Giants are putting the final touches on their opening day roster.

In the hours before New York’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, depth at linebacker and special teams has become a focus.

On Saturday, the team elevated linebackers Carter Coughlin and Ty Summers to the 53-man roster. Starting linebacker Micah McFadden will go, but if he’s not at 100 percent, keeping special teams fresh in the event Darius Muasau takes his spot makes sense.

In a corresponding move, the Giants released linebacker Curtis Bolton. Coughlin made the initial 53-man roster but was demoted during the Week 1 roster churn.

Kickoff from MetLife Stadium is set for 1 p.m. (ET).

SEPT 6 – OKEREKE RESTRUCTURED – There is seemingly no end to the transaction log between the end of the preseason and Sunday’s Week 1 kickoff. Like a CVS receipt, it just keeps coming .

The New York Giants continued their housekeeping in the final days before opening day.

On Thursday, New York restructured linebacker Bobby Okereke’s contract, per Field Yates .

The move created $4.5 million in cap space.

The Giants entered the day with just over $2 million in cap space, per Over the Cap , so this should make the team more flexible should a trade be necessary in the middle of the season.

SEPT 5 – THURSDAY INJURY REPORT – On Thursday night, the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens will kick off the 2024 regular season.

The New York Giants, like everyone else, will have to wait a few more days for their Week 1 festivities to commence.

New York shifted its practice schedule around because of Labor Day and Week 1, practicing Tuesday and Wednesday, but not the typical Thursday. However, the team produced a projected injury report in place of an official practice.

Limited

• Safety Dane Belton (Back)
• Quarterback Drew Lock (Abdomen)
• Linebacker Micah McFadden (Groin)
• Receiver Gunner Olszewski (Groin)

Notably, this is the same as Wednesday’s report, so no setbacks were experienced and nothing flared up after practice. No one has been ruled out for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings at this point.

SEPT 4 – JACKSON CONTRACT DETAILS – The New York Giants made the somewhat surprising move to sign cornerback Adoree’ Jackson ahead of Week 1. After the Giants didn’t seem keen on welcoming him back, their tune changed after cornerbacks Cor’Dale Flott and Nick McCloud struggled in camp.

The signing naturally came with several questions. Is he ready to play? Will he return punts? Are the Giants willing to start him on Sunday?

One question fans got the answer to on Tuesday was how much his one-year contract was worth.

Per Dan Duggan , Jackson’s one-year deal will pay him $1.75 million ($1.7 million against the cap). None of it is guaranteed, but the base salary is worth $1.5 million. The remaining $250,000 is tied to per-game roster bonuses – a functional guarantee.

Duggaan also states that interceptions and playing time could result in incentives for the veteran corner, but they won’t count against the cap.

SEPT 3 – DABOLL CALLING PLAYS – After two years of offensive coordinator Mike Kafka calling the shots on offense (at least on Sundays), suspicion arose that head coach Brian Daboll could return to his roots and start calling plays.

After last season’s catastrophes on offense – which, in fairness, weren’t a matter of play calling – it’s hard to blame Daboll for wanting more control.

Some will call it a last-ditch effort to cool his seat ahead of what looks to be a turbulent season. Others would prefer to call it a way to improve the offense and give Daniel Jones the best chance at success.

Daboll has been vague all summer. But after follow-ups on Tuesday, he gave in.

"Yeah, I'm doing it."

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.”

Related: Giants Unretire Number for Nabers' Jersey Reveal

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 .