Giants Bring Back Former Draft Pick After Expected Roster Cut
The New York Giants kicked off Week 8 with news of multiple roster moves, ahead of their rematch with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
The Giants upset the Eagles in Week 6, but now they’ll have to head into the belly of the beast to do it all over again, traveling to Philadelphia this weekend. Before this highly anticipated faceoff, Big Blue will make a few roster moves.
Each of these moves was reported on Tuesday, October 21, and one was expected after the way Week 7 ended in Denver.
“SOURCES: Giants cut K Jude McAtamney, I’m told,” New York Post beat reporter Ryan Dunleavy noted on Tuesday.
“He missed 3 PATs,” the reporter reminded. Adding: “[McAtamney] can return to [the] practice squad without taking up a roster spot because of international exemption, but not sure if that’s the plan yet. So, either Younghone Koo or Graham Gano [will kick] this week.”
Prior to Dunleavy’s announcement, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reported on the 53-man roster signing that has ousted McAtamney.
“Here’s an example of why you can’t carry hard feelings in the NFL: The Giants are signing CB Korie Black to their active roster off the [New York] Jets’ practice squad, per source,” Duggan relayed.
Continuing: “A seventh-round pick by the Giants this year, Black made the initial 53-man roster. But he was waived the day after cut day as the Giants did roster gymnastics. They planned to sign him back to their practice squad, but he instead elected to sign with the Jets’ P-squad.
“Black was elevated for two games to play special teams with the Jets before being poached back by the Giants. Giants have a need at corner with Paulson Adebo dealing with a knee injury, and they obviously like Black’s long-term potential.”
Korie Black Returns as Giants Reclaim Their 2025 Draft Pick in Week 8 News
As Duggan stated, Black surprisingly snubbed the Giants for an opportunity with the Jets after the 53-man roster cutdown.
That initially meant that NYG general manager Joe Schoen wasted a 2025 seventh-round pick, although seventh-round picks tend to be fliers anyway.
However, now that Black is returning in Week 8, all is set right again for Schoen and his 2025 draft class.
It’ll be interesting to see if and when the rookie suits up for the Giants. The early assumption is that Black will be inactive as the Giants square off with the Eagles.
Giants Re-Sign DL Cut Elijah Garcia in Additional Roster Move Ahead of Eagles Clash
The third Giants roster move on October 21 was also reported by Duggan.
“The Giants are re-signing DL Elijah Garcia to the practice squad, per source,” he informed. “Garcia was cut Saturday to make room for OLB Victor Dimukeje’s activation from the PUP list. [He] has appeared in four games this season.”
Garcia has been a member of the Big Blue organization since the start of the 2024 campaign.
He’s worked his way up the NYG ladder as serviceable defensive line depth, and he’ll continue to play that role moving forward, should the Giants need him.
Unfortunately, the Giants have already spent all three of Garcia’s regular season practice squad elevations in 2025, but they could always re-sign him to the active roster. Now that Garcia passed through waivers once, it appears likely that he’d do so again, in the event Big Blue has to do more roster gymnastics.
The veteran defensive lineman is 27 years old, with 1.0 sack and 1 tackle for a loss over his four 2025 outings.
Broncos Add ‘Well-Seasoned’ Trench Protector Before Facing Cowboys
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Denver is on its third starter at left guard, with Alex Palczewski stepping in for Matt Peart, who took over for Ben Powers before joining him on injured reserve.
Cox, though, remains a project at this stage.
Broncos Add Big-Bodied Project in Marques Cox
GettyMarques Cox #69 of the Kentucky Wildcats in action against the Auburn Tigers.
Cox is a 6-foot-5 prospect whose frame suggests he could help the Broncos as a depth piece at multiple positions.
“Broncos are signing OL Marques Cox to their practice squad per source,” 9News’ Mike Klis reported on X on October 21. “An undrafted rookie free agent following draft, he was with Broncos thru OTAs, camp and preseason. Familiar with system.”
Cox was a “long shot” to make the Broncos’ roster and remained in free agency until rejoining.
“It remains to be seen if Cox will play primarily as a tackle or as a guard in the NFL,”
Cox had a tryout with the Broncos leading into Week 7, alongside two-time Super Bowl champion and fellow offensive lineman Cam Fleming, but neither signed at the time.
Broncos OL Marques Cox a Work in Progress
GettyMarques Cox #69 of the Kentucky Wildcats tends to Cutter Boley #8 against the Texas Longhorns.
Cox ranked 21st among OTs on NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter’s top UDFA list
“With 59 career starts, Cox is a well-seasoned player after seven years in college,”
The Broncos hope that Powers can return by December, and Palczewski acquitted himself well in his first start at left guard in Week 7 against the New York Giants. They could also make a trade before the deadline, with potential options like
The Broncos have until the trade deadline on November 4 at 4 p.m. ET to decide.
Cox is unlikely to have a significant impact on how the Broncos operate at the trade deadline, but he could solidify a depth role on the practice squad.
Broncos Telegraphed OL Shakeup
Cox’s arrival did cost another player their roster spot with the Broncos. The Broncos cut another former UDFA, former Los Angeles Chargers prospect Karsen Barnhart, deciding on that before they brought Cox back.
Barnhart joined the Broncos’ practice squad on October 14, making for a short stint.
The Broncos added Barnhart in a shuffle that included All-Pro special teamer and reserve safety J.T. Gray
