Giants reach NFL's new 80-man roster limit
The Giants made a series of roster moves over the last week to reach the NFL's newly-significant roster limit of 80 players.
Waived:
Reserve/Opt-Out:
Free Agent Signing:
Claimed off Waivers:
Declared Non-Football Injury:
Reserve/Retired List
Reserve/COVID-19 List
Placed on Commissioner Exempt List by NFL
Contract Extension
Each team was permitted to begin training camp last week with a traditional 90-man roster. But any team remaining at that number would have to split its squad for all activities, with only half its players allowed in that team's facility at a time. The Giants have split into three workout groups for weightlifting and conditioning but most days end with full-squad walk-throughs, which would be prohibited with a 90-man roster. Any team with the larger group of players could not bring them all into its building at one time until Aug. 17, the first day of full-pads practice and when all teams must have no more than 80 players.
The Giants' roster count is currently 81, which includes running back Sandro Platzgummer of Austria, who does not count against the roster as an international pathway exemption.
View photos of the Giants' active roster as it currently stands.
OT Jackson Barton
WR C.J. Board
CB James Bradberry
LB Cam Brown
LB TJ Brunson
DB Adrian Colbert
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Tae Crowder
P Riley Dixon
LB Devante Downs
(Kevin Terrell via AP)
DB Nate Ebner
TE Evan Engram
LB Kyler Fackrell
OT Cameron Fleming
RB Wayne Gallman
K Graham Gano
G Nick Gates
DB Madre Harper
G Will Hernandez
DL B.J. Hill
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
DB Darnay Holmes
DT Austin Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DE Niko Lalos
DL Dexter Lawrence
G Shane Lemieux
RB Dion Lewis
CB Julian Love
WR Austin Mack
LB Blake Martinez
LB David Mayo
QB Colt McCoy
DL R.J. McIntosh
(Scott Boehm via AP)
DB Xavier McKinney
RB Alfred Morris
OL Kyle Murphy
OT Matt Peart
S Jabrill Peppers
WR Dante Pettis
C Spencer Pulley
DB Logan Ryan
DE Jabaal Sheard
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Darius Slayton
(AP Photo/Michael Perez)
TE Kaden Smith
WR Golden Tate III
OT Andrew Thomas
TE Levine Toilolo
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
DL Leonard Williams
CB Isaac Yiadom
G Kevin Zeitler
OL Nick Gates signs two-year contract extension
The exact position has yet to be determined but it seems likely that Nick Gates will be part of the Giants' new-look offensive line.
That point became clearer today when the Giants signed Gates to a two-year contract extension.
A 6-6, 318-pounder, Gates is arguably the team's most versatile lineman. He started games at right guard and right tackle last season, started 25 consecutive games at left tackle at Nebraska.
When he was asked about the Giants' tackle situation prior to the NFL Draft, general manager Dave Gettleman said, "We have faith in Nick Gates…Last year he made a lot of progress. We are excited about him."
The Giants currently have openings at left tackle (where incumbent Nate Solder has elected to opt out of the 2020 season), right tackle (Mike Remmers, last year's starter, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason) and center (Jon Halapio tore his Achilles tendon in the 2019 season finale and remains unsigned).
Gates joined the Giants as a rookie free agent in 2018 and spent that entire season on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in the preseason.
Last year, he played in all 16 games with three starts. Gates made his debut at Dallas on Sept. 8. He started at right tackle at the Jets on Nov. 10 and vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 29 and at right guard vs. Miami on Dec. 15.
View photos of offensive lineman Nick Gates.
New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates (65) waits for the snap during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Sept. 8, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 35-17. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates works out works out during NFL football training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) between plays 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 offensive lineman Nick Gates (65) blocks during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) blocks on a field goal attempt 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 offensive guard Nick Gates (65) blocks on a field goal attempt 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 guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) looks on from the sideline 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 offensive guard Nick Gates stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Md (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday December 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants center Evan Brown (67) and New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 32-13. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) runs during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 25-23. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates (65) rests during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates (65) blocks during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) and Kevin Zeitler (70) block New York Jets' Henry Anderson (96) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) signals at the line during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Bears 32-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates is seen during pregame of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants center Evan Brown (67) and New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 32-13. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) blocks during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Bears 32-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) signals at the line during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Bears 32-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) blocks during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Bears 32-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a preseason week 2 game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65), center Evan Brown (67) prepare for the snap during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants center Spencer Pulley (77), Evan Brown (67) and offensive guard Nick Gates (65) block during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) looks to block during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) gets set prior to the snap during an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Jets, 31-22. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) in action against New York Jets linebacker Jachai Polite (56) during an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Jets, 31-22. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) in action during an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Jets, 31-22. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants center Jon Halapio (75), James O'Hagan (60), Nick Gates (65)and Jon Halapio (75) during drills at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during OTA practice on Tuesday May 28, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates participates in the 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates participates in the 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Dwayne Johnson Jr., left, and offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) perform a drill during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Rutgers defensive back Kiy Hester (2) watches as Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) hoists wide receiver JD Spielman, who caught a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska running back Tre Bryant (18) is hoisted by offensive lineman Nick Gates after Bryant scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas State in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Nebraska won 43-36. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) arrives to the first day of preseason football practice, in Lincoln, Neb., Sunday, July 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) is hoisted by offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) after he caught a touchdown pass against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) talks to offensive lineman Christian Gaylord (56) between drills during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) arrives to the first day of preseason practice, in Lincoln, Neb., Sunday, July 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska running back Tre Bryant (18) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) performs a drill during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Red Team quarterback Zack Darlington (2) throws as offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) blocks White Team defensive lineman Dylan Owen (76) during Nebraska's annual NCAA college football Red-White spring game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, April 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) and offensive lineman Christian Gaylord (56) go through a drill during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) and offensive lineman Christian Gaylord (56) go through a drill during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Dwayne Johnson Jr. (76) works with offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) participates in a drill on the first day of NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, March 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a week 17 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants G Kevin Zeitler (70) and OL Nick Gates (65) during a regular season week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
Offensive Line
OLB Nick Gates (65) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
QB Daniel Jones (8) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
Joe Judge adjusts to new norms at training camp
Joe Judge will try to make this football season as normal as possible, knowing it is likely improbable.
"There are unknowns in every season going in," the Giants' first-year coach said on a Zoom call with reporters today. "This year is no different, it just has a different element that we haven't dealt with before. As we go, we'll see how things change and how they shake out. Right now, we are looking to go ahead and build the strongest team we can."
That element is the elephant in the room. The worldwide coronavirus pandemic has created new norms in countless ways throughout the world. The NFL isn't immune, of course. It held its annual draft virtually, conducted offseason programs in which players learned remotely and has opened training camps in a summer that will not include preseason games. But the league is hopeful of playing a full 17-week season, which means coaches like Judge have the same goals they normally do as July flips to August – identify the best players and get them ready to play as well as they can.
Beyond that, Judge and all coaches want and urge their players to make smart decisions away from the field and locker room. Those conversations are held with a heightened poignancy this year.
"The first thing we have to all understand is, everyone at this level has sacrificed to get here," Judge said. "We're going to have to make some more sacrifices, whether that's socially away from the game, how we interact with friends and family members throughout this season. But we have to make the right decisions. The biggest thing is everyone has to understand that all of our decisions directly impact each other. It's not fair for me to go out and do something and put myself at risk and come in here and get players sick. That's not my right. I'm not entitled to do that. We have to all make the right decisions, both in the building following the protocols and away from the building. I think ultimately as a league, we just need to trust that the plan in place that the league put, make sure we adhere to the protocols, make sure we wear the PPEs. Let's be careful, let's be cautious, but we can operate aggressively if we just follow the plan in place.
"I have a lot of trust in the plan put forth by the league. We spent a lot of time on this. When these players left, we signed off and took vacations. As coaches, we took a little bit of a break for about a month. It was 24/7 around the clock really working on making sure we got the facilities in order that we can bring our players in and have them work safely. We are doing everything we can, not just to be compliant but making sure we are staying ahead of issues that may arise. We are trying to educate our players on a daily basis. We have to enforce the rules as coaches. We have to rely on the leadership on the team to build the culture in the locker room. Right now, we have 16 games on the schedule and I'm looking forward to playing every one of them."
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