The New York Giants did not stop making changes after firing Brian Daboll and promoting Mike Kafka to interim head coach.
In addition to Jameis Winston getting the start at quarterback against the Green Bay Packers, the Giants have signed tight end Zach Davidson and kicker Ben Sauls to their practice squad. Both players will serve as necessary depth for important positions that have been thin at times this season.
Giants Quietly Strengthen TE Depth Amid Injury Concerns
The signing of Zach Davidson might not be eye-popping, but it could have short-term and long-term benefits. He originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings from Central Missouri State, where he played both tight end and punter.
Davidson has tremendous size at the position at 6-foot-7 and 251 pounds, but has mostly played during the preseason, securing 16 passes for 162 yards on 30 targets. He made the active roster with the Buffalo Bills last season, making his debut against the Kansas City Chiefs, in which the tight end caught one pass for five yards on his only target.
The Giants’ tight end room has been dealing with injuries this season, with Daniel Bellinger currently questionable for Sunday’s game. According to Dan Solomone of the Giants’ official website, he practiced in a limited capacity as he recovers from a groin injury.
The addition of Davidson could also benefit the Giants for the future, as both Bellinger and Chris Manhertz are set to be unrestricted free agents this offseason. If both depart, that would leave New York with just starting tight end Theo Johnson and seventh-round draft pick Thomas Fidone II on the active roster.
New York Stays One Step Ahead At Kicker After Gano Injury
The Giants have been caught empty-handed too many times, often failing to have a second kicker available, which has a lot to do with the unpredictability of Graham Gano. The longtime Giants’ kicker tends to get injured at the most inopportune times, which included a groin injury that he sustained during warmups before the Chiefs game this year.
With Gano headed to injured reserve for the second time this season due to a herniated disc, the Giants have seemed to learn from their mistake. Big Blue has signed Ben Sauls to its practice squad, who is now the fourth kicker that is currently on the Giants’ roster.
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Younghoe Koo was not spotted at Mike Kafka’s first practice earlier on Wednesday, with speculation being that he is also dealing with an injury.
If Koo and Gano are not available this week, the Giants will be forced to decide between Sauls and former Rutgers kicker Jude McAtamney, who missed two extra points in a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Denver Broncos.
Sauls has yet to kick in an NFL game, but he brings accuracy and leg strength to the roster. He made 87.5% of his field goal attempts and converted all of his extra points with the Pittsburgh Panthers during his senior collegiate season.
In addition, he can be a difference-maker on kickoffs, as Sauls’ long hangtime and distance pin opponents back and give coverage teams the time to adjust and get to the returner. Every part of every phase matters in football, and with all the injuries at the kicking position for the Giants, Sauls will certainly be an option worth considering, perhaps as soon as this week.
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