EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – With one linebacker definitely sidelined and another questionable for tomorrow's game in New Orleans, the Giants today shored up the position by signing James Morris off their practice squad.
|
To create room on the roster, the Giants waived cornerback Brandon McGee.
Morris, 6-1 and 237 pounds, has been on the practice squad since Sept. 16. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the New England Patriots on May 16, 2014. The University of Iowa product was waived on May 20, re-signed on Aug. 3 and placed on injured reserve on Aug. 30. Morris was waived by the Patriots on Sept., 4.
At Iowa, Morris was just the sixth player in school history to record 400 career tackles, and he was the first linebacker to lead the team in sacks since they became an official NCAA statistic in 1986. He finished his four-year career with 400 tackles, 26 tackles for losses, 10.5 sacks and six interceptions. As a senior in 2013, he started all 13 games at middle linebacker and finished second on the team with 107 tackles (53 solo), and led the team in interceptions (four), tackles for loss (18) and sacks (eight).
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1PM
J.T. Thomas, who has started every game this season at weakside linebacker, will not play against the Saints because of an ankle injury. Middle linebacker Jon Beason is questionable, also with an ankle injury.
Thomas was one of four players who did not travel with the team to New Orleans. The others were cornerback Prince Amukamara (pectoral), wide receiver Victor Cruz (calf) and defensive end Owa Owighizuwa (hamstring).
McGee was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 14, and to the active roster four days later. He played against Philadelphia on Oct. 19, and was inactive vs. Dallas last week.