The New York Giants have reportedly added a wide receiver. It just isn’t the move for a front-line difference-making receiver that fans have been hoping for.
The Giants are signing veteran wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, released on Tuesday by the Atlanta Falcons, to their practice squad.
The 29-year-old McCloud had 62 receptions for 686 yards last season, both career highs. In 98 games with five teams over eight seasons, McCloud has 158 catches.
This season, McCloud played in four games with six receptions.
Jeanna Kelley, Falcons beat writer for SB Nation’s The Falcoholic, thinks this move could pay dividends for the Giants.
“I think McCloud’s performance last season is much more indicative of what he can contribute to the Giants than his 64 yards on six catches in 2025,” Kelley said. “Last year, he had 62 catches, 686 yards and a touchdown and was super-reliable over the middle of the field regardless of whether Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix Jr. was throwing him the ball. He’s a viable punt/kick returner, too, so he brings some versatility to the table.”
The Falcons sent McCloud home last week due to what the team referred to as a “private matter” that the team denied had to do with the firing of former Falcons wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard.
McCloud had previously been a healthy scratch for Atlanta’s Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Here is an explanation from a post by Kelley regarding what had been happening between McCloud and the Falcons:
Whatever is keeping Ray-Ray McCloud away from the team, it’s an excused absence and a personal matter. Raheem Morris said it isn’t related to the firing of Ike Hilliard and McCloud’s close relationship with the former WRs coach who was fired after the shutout loss to the Carolina Panthers. “I sent him home. He’s going through some things right now that are private with my young man, and we’ll figure those things out as we go,” Morris said. Morris also said that he wouldn’t call it “a disciplinary thing.”
With Malik Nabers sidelined for the remainder of the season and Darius Slayton missing the last two games with a hamstring injury, Wan’Dale Robinson has been the Giants’ only dependable wide receiver. Once he is up to speed, perhaps McCloud would be an upgrade from Beaux Collins or Jalin Hyatt.
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