EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants today announced they have re-signed linebacker Devante Downs.
Downs, 25, played in all 16 games with eight starts in 2020. Downs finished the season with 27 tackles (21 solo), one quarterback hit, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery. He posted a season-high five solo tackles at Philadelphia on Oct. 22 and in the rematch with the Eagles on Nov. 15. Downs kept the Giants' first possession of the season alive when he recovered a muffed punt by Pittsburgh's Diontae Johnson in the season opener. The recovery led to a Graham Gano field goal.
Downs' 254 special teams snaps ranked third on the team behind Nate Ebner (328) and Cam Brown (314) and his six tackles tied Ebner, Brown and Corey Ballentine for third.
Downs joined the Giants' practice squad on Oct. 1, 2019 and the active roster three weeks later. He entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft choice by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. He played 13 games over two seasons before the Vikings waived him on Sept. 24, 2019.
View photos of Giants linebacker Devante Downs.
LB Devante Downs
New York Giants LB Devante Downs (52) during a week 13 game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) runs on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Devante Downs (52)
Devante Downs (52)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Devante Downs (52), Blake Martinez (54)
Devante Downs (52)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) in action on defense against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 19-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Devante Downs (52)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) celebrates a fumble recovery during a week 1 regular season Monday Night football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) makes a catch during warmups up prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants won 19-17. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) warms up before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) lines up on special teams during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 17-12. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett, left, is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. Lockett left the field with an injury after the play. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) rushes during an NFL game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, MD. The Giants defeated Washington 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) heads off the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Devante Downs (52) before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 22-21. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) rushes during an NFL game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, MD. The Giants defeated Washington 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) plays the field during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 02, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Buccaneers beat the Giants 25-23. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Giants 19-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) rests during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams defeated the Giants 17-9. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) sprints downfield on special teams coverage during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 23-17. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) warms-up before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) sets up against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Michael Owens via AP)
Devante Downs (52)
Devante Downs (52)
Devante Downs (52)
LB Devante Downs (52)
Devante Downs (52)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 16, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Devante Downs (52)
Devante Downs (52)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during a practice at the NFL football team's training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 21, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Devante Downs (52)
