They might not do anything
The New York Giants did not immediately fill the 53rd spot on their active roster that was created earlier this week when special teamer Carter Coughlin was released. They have until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to fill that spot, if they choose to do so.
What will they do with it?
They might not do anything. At least not for this week.
The Giants, per Over The Cap, have only $6.184 million in salary cap space to navigate the 2024 season. Only eight teams have less. Restructuring the contract of one of their highly-paid veteran players would give them some breathing room. So, too, does pinching pennies with some roster machinations.
If the Giants choose to elevate two practice squad players to be active Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, they can still only have 48 players players in those fancy throwback uniforms at game time.
They have a completely healthy roster right now and will have to deactivate players who would otherwise be able to perform.
Coughlin was back in the Giants’ locker room on Friday as a member of the practice squad. He could be elevated Sunday to serve in his usual special teams role. Thing is, his $1.125 million base salary is now not guaranteed for the season. He gets the weekly pro-ration of that for any game in which he is active, then won’t get the rest of it should he get cut during the season.
The Giants could sign any of the 16 players on their practice to the 53-man roster before Saturday’s deadline. Keep in mind, though, that the contracts of the six vested veterans on the practice squad — Coughlin, Ty Summers, Duke Shelley, Isaiah Hodgins, Lawrence Cager, Joshua Miles — would be guaranteed for the season if they were added to the 53-man roster before Sunday’s game.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic pointed out that Matthew Adams and Dyontae Johnson, who can both fill that linebacker/special teamer role, are eligible to return from IR in Week 5. So, the Giants have potentially saved themselves some money should they choose to cut Coughlin during the season.
What about Jakob Johnson? The veteran fullback, featured in a Q&A here at Big Blue View that unfortunately posted the same day he was released, has now been released three times by the Giants since the initial 53-man roster was constructed.
Could he be the 53rd player? Probably not this week. As another vested veteran, his salary would be guaranteed for the season should that happen. The way the Giants have bounced him around, that seems unlikely.
Could he be back on the practice squad next week? That seems possible. His locker was still filled with his belongings on Friday afternoon. Judging from the way the Giants have bounced him back and forth, we probably haven’t seen the last of him this season.
As for that 53rd spot, it won’t be surprising if it simply goes unfilled for this week.
