The New York Giants have finally submitted their practice squad elevations ahead of the Thursday Night Football clash with the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys.
“The Giants elevated FB/TE Jakob Johnson and CB Duke Shelley for tonight’s game against the Cowboys,” ESPN beat reporter Jordan Raanan relayed on X.
These roster moves were also confirmed by New York Daily News reporter Pat Leonard, among others.
This is the fourth straight week that head coach Brian Daboll is choosing to utilize both of his practice squad elevations. Having said that, it’s the first time that they’ve been spent on Johnson and Shelley.
Johnson has seesawed on and off the 53-man roster since joining the organization. Big Blue has taken full advantage of his status as a vested veteran to circumvent certain financial obligations, as well as the possibility of losing a younger player on waivers.
The fullback/tight end hybrid and core special teamer has already appeared in two games for the Giants this year despite this being his first practice squad elevation. He expects to continue in his role on special teams in Week 4 — having been utilized for 31 snaps already this season.
Shelley will likely appear on special teams too, considering he’s been a core ST player his entire career. However, the veteran DB could potentially factor in on the defensive side as well.
The Giants will be short two cornerbacks against the Cowboys, rookie Dru Phillips and veteran Adoree’ Jackson. At the very least, Shelley will provide CB depth should anyone else get injured over the course of tonight’s contest.
Cowboys Elevate Former Jets DE Carl Lawson vs. Giants
On the opposite sideline, the Cowboys will be elevating veteran defensive end Carl Lawson — per The Athletic’s Jon Machota — a pass rusher Giants fans might remember from his days with the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets.
Dallas will also promote cornerback Amani Oruwariye using a gameday elevation.
According to Pro Football Reference, this will be Lawson’s second appearance of the season with the Cowboys. Although the former 8.5-sack rookie only took the field for a total of nine snaps during his first bit of action.
Pro Football Reference did not credit Lawson with any statistics over his eight defensive snaps. Having said that, Lawson is always a danger to opposing quarterbacks, with 27.0 career sacks and 107 QB hits.
This will be Oruwariye’s first regular season appearance of 2024. The former Detroit Lions fifth rounder has suited up for 54 NFL outings since 2019, recording 9 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 4 tackles for a loss over that span.
Although Oruwariye has played on special teams throughout his career, he could see some snaps at cornerback on Thursday night as the Cowboys are likely without CB Caelen Carson (doubtful, shoulder). Within the Dallas secondary, safety Markquese Bell is also doubtful with an ankle injury.
Giants Sign Linebacker/Special Teamer Ty Summers to Active Roster Ahead of Week 4
Typically — at least, over the first three weeks of the 2024 campaign — new NYG linebacker and core special teamer Ty Summers has been a fixture in the Giants’ weekly elevations.
Having already promoted Summers three times though, Big Blue had to sign him to their active roster ahead of Week 4. They did so on September 25.
“LB Ty Summers is being signed to the Giants active roster, per source,” Raanan informed on Wednesday morning. “He was out of elevations after being activated from the practice squad for each of the first three games.”
New York also released Johnson briefly to make room for Summers, eventually signing the fullback to the practice squad in what was effectively a veteran swap. Both are expected to be out there tonight despite the roster gymnastics, with Johnson playing on the aforementioned gameday elevation.
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