3 Surprises From the Giants' Practice Squad

The New York Giants’ practice squad is officially set, and a few interesting developments emerged from the 13-man group.

Here are three surprises from the roster.

The Giants Didn’t Keep Any Additional Running Backs

It’s not surprising the Giants kept the running backs they did. It is surprising they didn’t add a fifth back, like Eric Gray or Damon Bankston, to the practice squad.

The Giants have a plodding running back room as it is, and two players — Cam Skattebo and Najee Harris — are coming off season-ending injuries from a year ago.

There are still four open practice squad spots, since one went to an International Pathway Program player (offensive lineman Jarrod Gray). But having all four running backs land on the 53-man roster, with none in reserve, is a surprise.

No Waiver Claims From Other Teams

The Giants lost Darius Muasau to the New England Patriots but didn’t add anyone via waivers from rival clubs — a surprising development, especially given Harbaugh’s familiarity with former Baltimore Ravens players.

Giants fans were hoping for McKinnley Jackson or Rayshaun Benny to bolster the interior defensive line. There were also opportunities to add cornerbacks rather than stick with Nic Jones, or centers who could challenge struggling starter John Michael Schmitz.

But Harbaugh explained why he picked the players he did.

“You try to take into account the body of work for all the guys, but really it’s how they fit the need right now,” Harbaugh said. “It’s more short-term than long-term. You have long-term decisions. I mean, you don’t want to take a young lineman who’s doing well and not have him and have him go somewhere else and become a really great player because you had a chance to develop him yourself. But more than that, it’s really just, ‘Hey, what makes us our best team right now?'”

Jalin Hyatt Made the Cut

The Giants kept three wide receivers on their practice squad, and it’s no surprise that Braxton Berrios was one of them. Dalen Cambre not being claimed was more of a surprise, especially with Brian Daboll and the Tennessee Titans lurking.

When the Giants released Hyatt as part of final cuts, it felt like a clean break from a draft bust they’d traded up to select in the third round in 2023. But the Giants clearly didn’t see it that way, keeping Hyatt on the practice squad as one of their six vested-veteran openings.

Hyatt had been working his way into a special teams role before a leg injury slowed his development. The Giants must still see something there, though — and with only five wide receivers on the active roster plus Berrios on the practice squad, Hyatt is likely to get called up for game reps at some point this season.