Giants Finalize Initial 53-Man Roster

The Giants released or waived 29 players in an effort to get down to the 53-man roster limit on Sunday. Here is the list…

Released:

• QB Brandon Allen (story)
• WR Braxton Berrios
• TE Tanner Conner
• DL Marlon Davidson
• OLB Khalid Kareem
• S Raheem Layne
• OL Evan Neal
• OL Lucas Patrick
• DL Josh Tupou

Waived:

• DL Anquin Barnes Jr.
• DL Ben Barten
• S Beau Brade
• WR Dalen Cambre
• FB Grant Finley
• OLB Trace Ford
• WR Xavier Gipson
• RB Eric Gray
• OL Jarrod Gray
• QB Jake Haener (story)
• WR Jalin Hyatt (story)
• OL Jake Kubas
• LB Chandler Martin
• LB Darius Muasau
• OLB Caleb Murphy
• DL Zacch Pickens
• OL Ryan Schernecke
• S J.T. Woods

Waived (with injury settlement):

• CB Art Green
• K Ben Sauls

Placed on IR (return designation):

• CB Korie Black

Berrios is a surprise name at first glance, but he will not be out of the organization for long. The Giants plan to re-sign Berrios before Week 1, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Because the 30-year-old is a vested veteran, the Giants are not at risk of losing him to waivers. Assuming he re-ups with the Giants, Berrios will serve as their primary returner and provide depth at the back of their receiving corps.

Neal’s ultra-disappointing run with the Giants may finally be over. In 2022, his first draft as the Giants’ general manager, Joe Schoen took Neal seventh overall. It turned out to be a disastrous decision. While Neal was an All-American at Alabama, he has not carried that excellence into the pros.

Neal was a bust at right tackle over 29 appearances and 27 starts during his first three seasons. New York toyed with the idea of Neal playing guard last year, but he did not see game action there or anywhere else. The Giants and new head coach John Harbaugh gave Neal one more chance on a one-year, $1.22MM deal, though he did not receive any guaranteed money. By releasing him, the Giants saved $1.08MM without taking on any dead cap charges.

Black injured his groin during the Giants’ preseason finale on Friday, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. The return designation means he will be eligible to practice again in Week 5.