The Giants have signed LB Deontae Skinner and waived OL Shane McDermott
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants today signed linebacker Deontae Skinner off their practice squad and waived offensive lineman Shane McDermott, essentially reversing a transaction they made two weeks ago.
On Nov. 19, McDermott was added to the roster because linemen Justin Pugh and Brett Jones were injured and would miss the following day's game vs. Chicago. The status of guard Adam Gettis was also uncertain. Skinner was waived and signed to the practice squad on Monday, Nov. 21.
McDermott played briefly in the last two games. But Marshall Newhouse and Gettis, who started the last two games, respectively, at left guard, are healthier, as is Jones.
Skinner did two stints on the Giants' practice squad early this season before he was promoted to the active roster on Oct. 11. He was inactive for four games before his Nov. 19 release.
These five players could make a key impact in Sunday's matchup vs. the Steelers
CB JANORIS JENKINSJenkins hasn't backed down from a challenge this year, lining up against the opponent's top receiver week in and week out. Sunday will be as big a test as he will face in four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection Antonio Brown.
DE JASON PIERRE-PAULThe reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week is coming off a game in which he notched a career-high three sacks against the Browns. He also forced a fumble and returned another for a 43-yard touchdown. Pierre-Paul has six of the Giants' 21 sacks during their six-game winning streak.
WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. While everyone is keeping tabs on how he stacks up with Pittsburgh's All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown on Sunday, fans should also be on the lookout for Beckham possibly fielding punts again. He returned three last week for an average of 11.7 yards with a long of 19 and had a touchdown called back because of a holding penalty.
WR STERLING SHEPARDEli Manning apologized to the rookie this week for not targeting him once in the win over Cleveland, the team's sixth in a row. The franchise quarterback said that can't happen again, so look out for the second-round pick out of Oklahoma who is second among rookies in every major receiving category.
SAFETY LANDON COLLINSThe NFL named Landon Collins the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November, which included 30 tackles, three interceptions, five passes defensed and a sack from the second-year safety. This week, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said, "I think that Landon is maybe the defensive player of the year."
