New York Giants cornerback Sam Beal desperately wanted to avoid landing on injured reserve for the second consecutive season, but those hopes fell flat on Sunday.
The Giants announced that Beal, who has been dealing with lingering groin and hamstring injuries, would be placed on IR and shut down for a minimum of six weeks, at which point he could return to practice. He will be ineligible to play until Week 9.
The loss of Beal leaves the Giants with just 10 defensive backs.
In a corresponding roster move, the Giants have signed tight end Eric Tomlinson.
Tomlinson, who originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie out of UTEP in 2015, had spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets. He also spent time with the Houston Texans from 2015-2016.
The 6-foot-6, 263-pound Tomlinson has appeared in 36 career games with 29 starts, recording 16 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown.
Tomlinson joins a tight end group that also features Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, Garrett Dickerson and C.J. Conrad (practice squad).
