EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants' roster renovation continued on Christmas Day, when they placed two players on injured reserve and added their replacements.
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Defensive tackle Markus Kuhn (knee) and linebacker James Morris (quad) were placed on injured reserve. Their spots were filled when the Giants signed two players from their practice squad, defensive end Brad Bars and tight end Matt LaCosse. They bring to three the number of players brought up this week from the practice squad, joining wide receiver Ben Edwards.
All three players are eligible to make their regular-season debuts Sunday night, when the Giants face the Vikings in Minnesota.
Kuhn, a fourth-year pro, injured his knee in the victory at Miami on Dec. 14. He missed the season's first three games with a knee injury.
Kuhn played in 10 games with eight starts this season. He contributed 20 tackles (nine solo), a half-sack, three quarterback hits and a fumble recovery. Kuhn had four tackles and the fumble recovery vs. New England on Nov. 15.
Morris, a second-year pro and first-season Giant, played in six games, including each of the last three. He was credited with two special teams tackles.
Morris was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 15, a week after his release by the Patriots. He joined the active roster on Oct, 31, and made his NFL debut the following day in New Orleans. Morris was waived on Nov. 17, re-signed to the practice squad the next day, and again added to the roster on Dec. 5, the day before the Giants faced the Jets.
Bars, 6-3 and 251 pounds, spent the entire season on the Giants' practice squad. He joined the Giants as a rookie free agent on Aug. 2. In 2014, he played in all 13 games for Penn State, and was credited with 10 tackles, including two for losses. Bars also gained 32 yards on a fake punt vs. Illinois on Nov. 22. He missed the 2013 season after tearing his Achilles tendon in July.
LaCosse was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Giants on May 7. He was waived on Aug. 2 after suffering a hamstring injury in training camp. LaCosse was signed to the practice squad on Nov. 3, the first day the Giants were permitted to add him per NFL rules, because he had received an injury settlement.
LaCosse played in 46 games at the University of Illinois, where he caught 38 passes for 397 yards and six touchdowns. As a senior in 2014, he played in 13 games with six starts and caught 14 passes for 117 yards and three scores.
*Linebacker Devon Kennard (foot) and safety Cooper Taylor (concussion) have been declared out of the Minnesota game. Wide receiver Dwayne Harris (shoulder) is questionable. Running back Orleans Darkwa (illness), tackle Ereck Flowers (illness) and defensive end George Selvie (concussion) are probable.
