You might not remember Rico Payton, but he is on the verge of helping the New York Giants‘ secondary get healthier.
The Giants opened Payton’s 21-day return window from injured reserve Wednesday so the second-year cornerback can make his way back from hamstring injury.
Payton was claimed off waivers in late August after he was released by the New Orleans Saints in their final cuts. An undrafted free agent, Payton had 11 tackles and one pass defended in 16 games for the Saints last year.
Payton, who will turn 26 on Nov. 28, played college football at Southern Illinois, where he transferred after starting his career at Division II Pittsburg State.  The Giants must activate Payton in the next three games or place him on season-ending injured reserve.
New York (2-6) will host the first-place San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants Defensive Secondary Has Been Decimated By Injuries
Cor’Dale Flott and Paulson Adebo are likely to miss the 49ers game, since Flott sustained a concussion in the Giants’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and Adebo is week to week with a sprained MCL in his knee.
So healthy bodies are necessary, especially with backup cornerback and special teamer Art Green also dealing with a hamstring injury. The injuries forced the Giants to make a roster move, claiming Jarrick Bernard-Converse off waivers from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.
Even with Adebo and Flott healthy, plus 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks playing extra reps, the Giants rank 24th in the NFL in pass defense. They have allowed 400-plus yards in total offense in four of their eight games this season.
Payton may not return in time to take on the 49ers, though the Giants could use him especially since they are the No. 2 ranked pass offense in the NFL — and New York still has a date with the Dallas Cowboys later this year, since they are the top-ranked passing offense.
Rico Payton Mostly Played Special Teams For The Saints
Giants fans may be chomping at the bit to see anyone except Banks playing corner, since he is ranked 107th out of 113 cornerbacks on Pro-Football Focus this season.
But the Giants don’t want just anyone playing cornerback for them, since even replacement-level players, like how Banks has played this season, can still play.
But the Giants have a few options still. Nickelbacks Dru Phillips and Nic Jones have been healthy and could play outside, plus Green is likely to jump into a starting-cornerback spot opposite Banks.
If Green or Banks get injured, or falter, Bernard-Converse earned a 63.4 grade from PFF this year, which means he can step in even if Flott and Adebo are out long term — which is possible, since Adebo is being called week to week.
But Payton only played 21 defensive snaps at cornerback in 2024, and he did not play a defensive snap over New Orleans’ final eight games.
Still, Payton could be a useful special-teams player when the Giants activate him from injured reserve. He played 57 percent of the Saints’ special-teams snaps in 2024, and the injuries have caused the Giants to pull players off specials to the defense.
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