
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.
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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

RB ORLEANS DARKWA Orleans is not just a nickname Darkwa gave himself when he set the freshman rushing record at Tulane. Rather, it's a common name in Ghana, where his family hails from. Now everyone is learning it as he heads back to New Orleans this week to take on the Saints. After having no touches through the first six games, Darkwa, the fourth running back behind Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and Shane Vereen, led the team with eight carries last Sunday in the victory over Dallas. Darkwa sparked the run game with 48 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown which was the offense's lone score of the day. We'll see on Sunday how the team splits the carries this time. "When I went to New Orleans, people didn't believe that was my name until I pulled out my ID," Darkwa said. "That's my real name."

WR RUEBEN RANDLE The LSU product is one of four Giants who will be playing in his home state of Louisiana on Sunday. Born in Bastrop, La., he played at the powerhouse Bastrop High School, starring as the Rams' quarterback and also saw action at wide receiver, in addition to handling punt and kickoff return duties. The team went 15-0 in both his sophomore and junior seasons. Randle recorded just two catches in last week's victory, but they went for 68 yards and sparked a pair of scoring drives. The Giants will need more plays like his 44-yard snag down the sideline on Sunday. "Yeah, we feel it coming," Randle said. "We've just got to stay with it, stay patient, got to let it come to us a little bit. Don't try to rush it and force some things. We know the time will come, big plays are going to come. Just got to continue to do the right thing for us to be prepared for the opportunities."

QB ELI MANNING The New Orleans native was just about to turn 13 years old when the Giants last won at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 1993. In that game, Phil Simms threw two touchdowns in a 24-14 victory over the Saints, the team which Manning's father, Archie, quarterbacked from 1971-1982 and was inducted into the Ring of Honor. But for Eli, this weekend is strictly a business trip. "Just going to play a game," he said. "I'm not seeing family before the game or doing anything. It's the next game, going to New Orleans and trying to get a win."

WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. Born in New Orleans, the reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and LSU product is coming off his lowest totals of the season in receptions (four) and yards (35). The Giants got the win, but the offense has scored just two touchdowns in the last two weeks. A trip to the Superdome might do the trick for Beckham, who has 17 receptions for 226 yards and four touchdowns in three indoor games. "It's definitely going to fun being able to go back home, a place that I always wanted to really play in back in high school, you want to get to the state championship, and had a chance to play in it one time but it didn't pan out the way we wanted it to," Beckham said. "I'm definitely excited to go back."

SAFETY LANDON COLLINS Despite going on to play at the rival University of Alabama, Collins was born in New Orleans and starred at Dutchtown High School in Geismar, La., as an All-America defensive back. The rookie second-round draft pick currently leads the Giants with 32 solo tackles, has three tackles for loss, broke up five passes, and recorded his first career interception two weeks ago.
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.