The New York Giants hope to further fortify their battered linebacker corps, promoting rookie Josiah Tauaefa from their practice squad on Tuesday.
The Giants also activated wide receiver Golden Tate from the exempt list as he is no longer serving his suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on PEDs.
To make room for Tauaefa and Tate, the team released wide receivers Bennie Fowler and TJ Jones.
Tauaefa, who was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Texas-San Antonio this spring, spent the entire training camp and preseason with the Giants, where he led the defense in tackles. He was waived at the deadline during the roster cut-down to 53 players and subsequently signed back the practice squad.
Tauaefa (6-foot-1, 232 pounds) plays an aggressive style and usually around the football on most plays.
“I like everything that Josiah’s doing,” linebackers coach Bill McGovern said last week. “He’s been preparing, does a great job in the meeting room. He’s working his tail off. When I say this, he’s one of those guys who has definitely gotten better since he’s been here.”
Meanwhile, the release of Jones seemed destined after he logged just five offensive snaps and muffed two punts in a 24-3 victory over the Washington Redskins in Week 4. But Fowler’s exit comes as a bit of surprise after he was targeted 20 times over the first four weeks.
Finally, the Giants also signed running back Da’Mari Scott to their practice squad.
