EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Justin Pugh went straight off the couch into the lineup and then onto the Giants' roster.
The remarkable career resurrection of Pugh continued Wednesday when he was signed to the team's active roster off the practice squad.
Two weeks ago, Pugh hadn't played in a game since tearing his right ACL on Oct. 16, 2022, while starting at left guard for the Arizona Cardinals in Seattle. The Giants signed him to the practice squad on Oct. 3, five days before he watched the team's loss in Miami – sitting on his couch in an apartment five minutes from MetLife Stadium.
The Giants elevated him to the roster for their game Sunday in Buffalo. Pugh played the first nine snaps of the game at left guard before moving over to left tackle when Josh Ezeudu injured his toe. Pugh couldn't recall when he had last played the position at all. He last played left tackle extensively in 2015. Pugh had zero practice reps at the position before playing the game's final 68 snaps there.
"I mean to play 80 plays, a year removed, I had got three practices in," Pugh said. "It's just one of those things, you got to do what you got to do for the team. We had a guy who had an unfortunate injury, limited numbers, it was like the perfect storm for me to have to go do that. I haven't played left tackle in eight years. And then the Buffalo Bills have the number one sack defense in the NFL. I look out there and it's Von Miller. The last time I played for the Giants was six years ago to the day against Von Miller, Sunday Night Football, when he was on the Denver Broncos, and I had to go out to right tackle on a whim that week. So, there has just been so many crazy things that have brought this thing all full circle and I don't know what it is, there is something in the air."
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
QB Jacob Eason - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (January 6)
TE Tyree Jackson - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (January 6)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 6)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 6)
S Jason Pinnock - Reserve/Injured (January 6)
QB Jacob Eason - Practice Squad Signing (January 4)
OT Tyre Phillips - Reserve/Injured (January 2)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Practice Squad Signing (January 1)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 30)
WR Dennis Houston - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 30)
LB Darrian Beavers - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 30)
TE Lawrence Cager - Reserve/Injured (December 30)
K Mason Crosby - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 24)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 24)
OT Matt Peart - Activated, from Reserve (December 24)
OT Evan Neal - Reserve/Injured (December 24)
K Mason Crosby - Practice Squad Veteran (December 22)
K Cade York - Practice Squad; Injured (December 22)
K Randy Bullock - Reserve/Injured (December 21)
DL Timmy Horne - Free Agent Signing from ATL Practice Squad (December 21)
OT Matt Peart - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 20)
RB Gary Brightwell - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 20)
TE Darren Waller - Activated, from Reserve (December 16)
S Bobby McCain - Waived, No Recall (December 16)
TE Darren Waller - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 14)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Activated, from Reserve (December 11)
QB Matt Barkley - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (December 5)
QB Jacob Eason - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (December 4)
QB Matt Barkley - Waived, No Recall (December 4)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 4)
WR Dylan Drummond - Practice Squad Signing (November 30)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 30)
RB Eric Gray - Activated, from Reserve (November 25)
K Cade York - Practice Squad Exception Signing (November 24)
K Randy Bullock - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 24)
K Cade York - Waived, No Recall (November 22)
RB Eric Gray - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 22)
OL Joshua Miles - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (November 21)
RB Deon Jackson - Practice Squad Exception Signing (November 21)
RB Hassan Hall - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 21)
LB Benton Whitley - Free Agent Signing from MIN Practice Squad (November 21)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, No Recall (November 20)
OL Joshua Miles - Waived, No Recall (November 20)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 18)
TE Tyree Jackson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 18)
TE Chris Myarick - Waived, No Recall from Reserve/Injured (November 13)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Activated, from Reserve (November 11)
TE Tyree Jackson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 11)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 11)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 8)
QB Matt Barkley - QB Matt Barkley - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 8)
QB Daniel Jones - Reserve/Injured (November 8)
QB Jacob Eason - Practice Squad Signing (November 7)
RB Hassan Hall - Practice Squad Signing (November 7)
OLB Justin Hollins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 4)
K Randy Bullock - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 4)
TE Lawrence Cager - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 4)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Injured (November 4)
QB Tyrod Taylor - Reserve/Injured (November 4)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 3)
K Cade York - Free Agent Signing from TEN Practice Squad (November 3)
K Randy Bullock - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (November 3)
K Graham Gano - Reserve/Injured (November 3)
QB Matt Barkley - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 31)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 31)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 31)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 31)
DL Leonard Williams - Traded to Seahawks for 2024 2nd Round Pick & 2025 5th Round Pick (October 30)
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 30)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (October 30)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 28)
RB Gary Brightwell - Reserve/Injured (October 28)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Free Agent Signing from CAR Practice Squad
OLB Justin Hollins - Practice Squad Veteran Signing
RB Eric Gray, OT Matt Peart - Reserve/Injured
RB Deon Jackson - Claimed off Waivers from CLV
(October 24)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (October 23)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 21)
OL Jalen Mayfield - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 21)
TE Lawrence Cager - Practice Squad Signing
OL Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing from DAL Practice Squad (October 19)
OL Shane Lemieux - Reserve/Injured (October 19)
OL Justin Pugh - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 18)
TE Lawrence Cager - Waived, No Recall (October 18)
OL Tyre Phillips - Free Agent Signing from PHI Practice Squad
OL Joshua Miles - Free Agent Signing from ATL Practice Squad
OL Joshua Ezeudu - Reserve/Injured
OL Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing to CAR Active Roster
(October 17)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Reserve/Injured (October 14)
OL Jalen Mayfield - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 14)
QB Tommy DeVito - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 14)
OL Justin Pugh - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 14)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Practice Squad Veteran (October 11)
WR Cole Beasley - Designated for Return / Restored to Practice Squad (October 10)
WR Cam Sims - - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 10)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 10)
OL Jaylon Thomas, OL Jalen Mayfield - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 7)
OL Justin Pugh - Practice Squad Veteran (October 3)
RB Taiwan Jones - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 3)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 9)
K Graham Gano - Signed 3-year contract extension (September 8)
WR Cam Sims - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (September 4)
WR Cole Beasley - Practice Squad; Injured (September 4)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injury Settlement
DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, T Jaylon Thomas - Practice Squad Signing (August 31)
RB Taiwan Jones - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (August 31)
TE Tyree Jackson, G Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing (August 31)
DB Gemon Green, T Tyre Phillips - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 31)
CB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injury Settlement
DT Ryder Anderson, ILB Darrian Beavers, DB Alex Cook, QB Tommy DeVito, CB Gemon Green, ILB Dyontae Johnson, TE Ryan Jones - Practice Squad (August 30)
WR Cole Beasley, CB Amani Oruwariye, T Tyre Phillips, OLB Oshane Ximines - Practice Squad Veteran (August 30)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 30)
DE Boogie Basham - Acquired via Trade (via BUF) with 2025 7th Round Pick for 2025 6th Round Pick (August 30)
DT Ryder Anderson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DE Habakkuk Baldonado - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Darrian Beavers - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Alex Cook - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
QB Tommy DeVito - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Gemon Green - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
TE Ryan Jones - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LS Cameron Lyons - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
T Tyre Phillips - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DT Kobe Smith - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Ray Wilborn - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Cole Beasley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR Jamison Crowder - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
C Sean Harlow - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
DB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR David Sills V - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
LB Oshane Ximines - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Reserve/Non-Football Illness (August 29)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Passed Physical (August 29)
CB Aaron Robinson - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (August 29)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Wyatt Davis - Waived, Injured (August 28)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Reserve/Injured (August 27)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Julién Davenport - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Brandin Bryant - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DE Tashawn Bower - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Kevin Atkins - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
WR Collin Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
DB Darren Evans - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
NT Donovan Jeter - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
RB James Robinson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons - Acquired via Trade (via ARZ) for 2024 7th Round Pick (August 25)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived, Injury Settlement (August 24)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injury Settlement
CB Rodarius Williams - Waived, No Recall (August 19)
OT Julién Davenport - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injured (August 16)
LB Ray Wilborn - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (August 15)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived/Injured (August 15)
DL D.J. Davidson - Passed Physical (August 14)
WR Jeff Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (August 11)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Passed Physical (August 7)
OL Marcus McKethan - Passed Physical (August 7)
NT Donovan Jeter - Free Agent Signing (August 4)
WR Jeff Smith - Waived/Injured (August 4)
C Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing (August 1)
OL J.C. Hassenauer - Reserve/Injured (August 1)
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical (July 30)
WR Jamison Crowder - Passed Physical (July 30)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Injured (July 29)
LB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injury Settlement (July 29)
DT Kevin Atkins - Free Agent Signing (July 27)
T Andrew Thomas - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (July 26)
DT D.J. Davidson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
G Marcus McKethan - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Jamison Crowder - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 25)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Did Not Report (July 25)
RB Saquon Barkley - Franchise Player Signing (July 25)
OLB Tashawn Bower - Free Agent Signing (July 25)
OLB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injured (July 25)
DB Trenton Thompson - Waived, No Recall (July 25)
DT Brandin Bryant - Free Agent Signing (July 24)
WR Makai Polk - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
WR Dre Miller - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
RB James Robinson - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
WR Cole Beasley - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
DB Darren Evans - Free Agent Signing (July 18)
LB Jarrad Davis - Reserve/Injured (July 18)
DB Leonard Johnson - Waived/Injured (July 18)
DL Kobe Smith - Free Agent Signing (June 15)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (May 5)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Troy Brown - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Gemon Green - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
TE Ryan Jones - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LS Cameron Lyons - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
CB Deonte Banks - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 24) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Deonte Banks - Selection List Signing (May 18)
OL John Michael Schmitz - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 57) of 2023 NFL Draft
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 73) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selection List Signing (May 15)
RB Eric Gray - Selection List Signing (May 5)
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 209) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DL Jordon Riley - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 243) of 2023 NFL Draft
RB Eric Gray - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
DL Jordan Riley - Selection List Signing (May 6)
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 254) of 2023 NFL Draft
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 24)
C J.C. Hassenauer - Free Agent Signing (April 7)
OLB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Jamison Crowder - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
S Bobby McCain - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Trenton Thompson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Terrell Burgess - Waived/Injured (May 5)
G Solomon Kindley - Waived
WR Kenny Golladay - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 15)
Pugh also forever immortalized himself with his Sunday Night Football introduction. Most players recite their name and collegiate alma mater. But Pugh went with, "Justin Pugh, straight off the couch," which lit up the internet.
"So, straight off the couch," Pugh said when asked to explain the origin of his viral moment. "I was riding the bus to the hotel, and we landed in Buffalo, and they're like, 'Hey, you have to shoot your Sunday Night Football (intro).' Obviously, I went to Syracuse University, and I always say Syracuse University, and I still love Syracuse University, so all my Syracuse folks out there, I give you your flowers. I love you so much.
"But I truly was watching last week Sunday Night Football on the couch. It just hit me, like, I was a fan last week watching football. How many times can you be a fan watching your favorite team, the New York Giants, and the next Sunday you get to go play for that team on Sunday Night Football? That is a story. I really came straight off the couch and started on Sunday Night Football, and nobody can ever take that away from me. If I never played another football game and that was my last one, I could go out like that.
"Then obviously, the Giants called the next day and said, 'Hey, let's get a deal done.' So, we were able to come back and keep doing it."
Pugh credited a fellow offensive lineman for making a key change in his script.
"I've got to give a huge shoutout to Jalen Mayfield," Pugh said. "I was going to do, 'Fresh off the couch,' and he's like, 'Straight off the couch.' He said straight off the couch to me when he came out. I was like, 'That's it.' That's it right there. So, I went in and did it.
"It was me, him and (quarterback Tommy) DeVito in there doing our Sunday Night Football (intros), and DeVito has got some good personality. They were my hype guys."
With Andrew Thomas still unable to practice and Ezeudu now on injured reserve, the NFL's most famous couch potato might start at left tackle when the Giants host the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
"I thought he did some good things," coach Brian Daboll said. "Again, he hasn't played tackle in a while. We talked about it, like I said before, but we'll give him obviously some reps out there and make sure we get him ready to go."
Perhaps the only demerits in Pugh's second Giants' debut were two false start penalties.
"Obviously, I had some cadence issues," he said. "The silent cadence is different for every team and obviously at guard I can really 'periph' the ball a lot better, so that was a major factor. I was getting out jumping the count, then I was a little too slow and I remember coming to the sideline like alright I figured the snap count out, we are good to go. I am just going to go out there and fight and that's all I can promise you is I'll go out there and fight. It's not always going to be pretty and it's not how this game is, it's just I am going to go out there and battle and give it everything I've got. That's all I can ask. There are going to be bad plays, there are going to be plays I mess up and there is some story of life in there where you get back up and you fight, you clear that play and that's something that I think is good for anybody."
Pugh was the 19th overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft. He played five seasons for the Giants before signing as a free agent with the Cardinals in 2018 and spent five seasons in Arizona. After suffering a serious knee injury in his 10th season, Pugh didn't know if he would play again. He's thrilled this opportunity is with the Giants.
"Everyone besides the players is the same," he said with a laugh. "Every personnel person, all you guys (reporters) are the same, like this feels very familiar. It took me a little – it was like riding a bike. Meeting the new guys and, like I said last week, I don't think all the guys even knew who I was or that I'd played here before or any of the history."
In his first stint with the Giants, Pugh was a go-to guy for reporters for his accessibility, candor and wit. He hasn't changed. It's safe to say not many players would respond to a question whether other teams had reached out to him by saying about him joining the Giants, "this is all Jerry Seinfeld's fault."
And how's that?
"Honestly. I was at a restaurant, Torrisi, in New York, like, four months ago over the summer," Pugh said. "My wife and I are sitting there with some friends and across from us is Jerry Seinfeld. I hear his voice, and it was the most quintessential New York moment of all time. I remember texting my agent, like, 'Text the Giants, I want to come back.' So, really, if it wasn't for Jerry Seinfeld, I don't know if I'd be here right now. He's the greatest. He's the G.O.A.T. But from that point forward, I knew I wanted to come back here. Everything worked out perfectly. They (the Giants) played in Arizona (on Sept. 17). They stayed there for a week. I came and worked out 10 minutes from my house. They called me right after that. I fly in here. The way I started; it was just meant to be."
Linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who joined the Giants in a trade on Aug. 24, was Pugh's teammate in Arizona the previous two seasons.
"I was glad when I saw we signed him," Simmons said. "I like Pugh a lot. He showed me nothing but love since I was a rookie in Arizona. One of the first things I asked him was, 'When are you gonna be able to get out there?' He was testing his knee and seeing when it was gonna be ready. I think he said he just needed to show it was healthy. It's good to see him out there."
No matter what happens, Pugh said this will be his last NFL stop. He was "super excited" to sign his contract today. Pugh doesn't know how much he'll play in the last 11 games, but he's happy to be back in familiar surroundings, on and off the field.
"It made me feel really good, because after that game every one of my teammates and coaches and guys that I've played with from my first year in the league to last year in the league texted me and said, 'You have no idea how proud we are of you,' and that means more to me than anything. There's no dollar amount that you can put on that. To earn the respect of these guys in the locker room and my fellow teammates and coaches, that's what gets me emotional or excited. All of it."
Once again, the New York Giants are bringing back their classic blue uniforms from the '80s and '90s for the 2023 season as part of two Legacy Games presented by Quest.
Leonard Williams (99) Dexter Lawrence (97) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Tae Crowder (48) Tyre Phillips (79)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) celebrates a sack of Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Azeez Ojulari (51) Jason Pinnock (27)
Graham Gano (9)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Azeez Ojulari (51)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Nick McCloud (44)
Darius Slayton
Jon Feliciano (76)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Matt Breida
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Dane Belton
Darius Slayton (86)
Matt Breida
Daniel Jones, Evan Neal, Andrew Thomas
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley
Graham Gano (9), Jamie Gillan (6)
Daniel Jones
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Daniel Jones
Saquon Barkley (26),
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
Graham Gano (9)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Evan Neal (73)
Jihad Ward (55)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55)
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Jamie Gillan (6), Graham Gano (9)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Dane Belton (24), Micah McFadden (41)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Jihad Ward (55)
Carter Coughlin (52)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Jihad Ward (55)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Jihad Ward (55)
Jamie Gillan (6)
Isaiah Hodgins (18), Daniel Jones (8)
Graham Gano (9), Jamie Gillan (6)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tyrod Taylor (2), Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Jamie Gillan (6)
Graham Gano (9), Jamie Gillan (6)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8), Andrew Thomas (78)
Daniel Jones (8), Ben Bredeson (68)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Daniel Jones (8)
Nick McCloud (44)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Azeez Ojulari (51) Jason Pinnock (27)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates a touchdown run with wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants cornerback Jason Pinnock (27) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) makes a catch during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) makes a touchdown catch during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) celebrates a sack during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) makes a touchdown catch during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) celebrates a sack during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) makes a catch during a game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
82 Daniel Bellinger
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
Matt Breida (31)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dane Belton (24)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51)
Xavier McKinney (29)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
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