Giants finalize 53-man roster and begin building practice squad

The New York Giants have reduced their active roster to the league-mandated 53 players ahead of the final cut-down deadline. More than 1,000 players are now on waiver wire, with 18 former Giants among them, as other clubs submit claims for potential additions.

The waiver process will conclude on Monday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m., after which teams will establish their 16-man practice squads, plus an additional spot for a player from the International Player Pathway program. The Giants are expected to fill that exemption with offensive lineman Jarrod Gray.

The practice squad functions as an extension of the active roster; two squad members may be elevated for a game each week, and each can be promoted up to three times before the team must either sign the player to the active roster or keep him on the squad.

Current practice-squad signings include wide receiver/special-teams player Dalen Cambre, quarterback Jake Haener, safety Raheem Layne, wide receiver/returner Braxton Berrios, fullback Grant Finley, defensive tackle Josh Tupou, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, offensive lineman Ryan Schernecke, defensive lineman Ben Barten, outside linebacker Trace Ford, inside linebacker Chandler Martin, cornerback JT Woods, and Jarrod Gray under the international exemption.

Jake Haener, who had been released after serving as a third-string quarterback earlier in the preseason, rejoined the squad and will develop behind Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston. Braxton Berrios and Grant Finley also returned to the practice squad after brief releases. Former Giants linebacker Darius Muasau was claimed by the New England Patriots.