Giants’ Joe Judge explains decision to release Javon Leake

The New York Giants unexpectedly waived rookie running back Javon Leake over the weekend in an effort to clear room for two incoming defensive backs.

The decision to part ways with Leake ruffled some feathers among fans, who were not only unhappy with the decision, but took aim at team reporters for hyping up the 22-year-old.

Ultimately, the decision simply came down to the numbers.

With a desperate need for depth in their secondary and an abundance of talented running backs showing out this summer, the Giants had few other options.

First-year head coach Joe Judge explained exactly that on Sunday.

“We thought with the way we kind of had to look at some spots on our roster and addressing different positions with depth, this time of year, there’s a lot of movement on the roster. That’s kind of natural throughout the entire league,” Judge told reporters. “Look, he made a lot of progress for us. He did some good things, he did some good things the other night in the scrimmage.

“With the way the rosters move throughout the year, every player we have here through camp, we express to them that however the roster moves, we’ll have all of them on a list as far as possibly being brought back for roster or practice squad spots when available. He’s a guy that came in and worked his tail off for us. He made a lot of progress and I enjoyed coaching him.”

If Leake goes unclaimed or unsigned, it’s entirely possible the Giants bring him back as early as Sunday, September 6 when practice squads are established.

For now however, the Giants needed the room for more defensive backs and with Wayne Gallman having the camp of a lifetime, it was Leake who became expendable.