The team announced today they have signed defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, an eight-year NFL veteran who has previously played for four teams, including the Minnesota Vikings in 2010.
Kennedy is the third veteran defensive tackle signed by the Giants since the start of training camp, joining Rocky Bernard (who was re-signed) and Gabe Watson.
"He is a veteran player that two years ago played very well," Coach Tom Coughlin said. "Last year, according to what he told us, he was really injured and didn't play that well and he feels good and healthy now. He is a veteran player who we think can help us."
The Giants are expected to investigate the availability of defensive backs after Terrell Thomas suffered a season-ending knee injury in last night's preseason victory over Chicago. Thomas was placed on injured reserve today, officially ending his season. Another cornerback who was hurt last night, Brian Witherspoon, was waived/injured – as was wide receiver Sam Giguere, who suffered a groin injury in training camp.
The Giants have only five healthy corners: Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Michael Coe, first-year pro Joe Burnett and rookie Darnell Burks.
With Kennedy, they have some strength in numbers in the middle of their defensive front. Kennedy, 6-5 and 304 pounds, has played in 86 regular season games with 31 starts and in five postseason games with two starts. His career totals include 188 tackles (106 solo), 8.5 sacks, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in the regular season and 10 tackles (seven solo) and 2.0 sacks in the postseason. He had a career-high 55 tackles (32 solo) in 2006 and a career-best 3.0 sacks in both 2005 and 2009.
Kennedy entered the NFL as a 2003 first-round draft choice, No. 12 overall, by the St. Louis Rams. He played four seasons in St. Louis, and started all 16 games in 2006, before being traded to the Denver Broncos on June 8, 2007. The Broncos released him and Kennedy spent that season with the Chicago Bears.
In 2008, Kennedy played for both the Jacksonville jaguars and the Vikings. The following year, he helped Minnesota advance to the NFC Championship Game. Last season, Kennedy played in nine games and had eight tackles (five solo) and a half-sack.
Kennedy played at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, N.Y. and at Penn State, where he was first-team All-Big Ten as a senior.
Kennedy was both on Nov. 15, 1979.
