The New York Giants finalized three roster moves just before the Week 13 Monday Night Football matchup with the New England Patriots, relaying the news on X.
NYG team reporter Dan Salomone shared the transactions, informing fans of two practice squad elevations and one 53-man roster signing.
Activated from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation): ▪️ ILB Swayze Bozeman ▪️ WR Dalen Cambre
Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad: ▪️ OLB Tomon Fox
Per Salomone and the Giants, linebacker/special teamer Swayze Bozeman and wide receiver/special teamer Dalen Cambre will both be elevated from the practice squad for Week 13. Core special teamer and outside linebacker Tomon Fox will then be signed to the active roster from the practice squad.
If you’re sensing a theme here, you’re not alone. It appears the Giants are utilizing their elevations and roster flexibility to prioritize reinforcing their special teams department against the Patriots.
The opposition, led by head coach Mike Vrabel, is really strong in every aspect of the game, including special teams. So, in order to upset them, the Giants must shore up every area of their operation as well.
Bozeman, Cambre, and Fox do that on the ST side while also providing depth at their respective positions.
Giants’ Most Recent Week 13 Injury News vs. Patriots
There was big news on November 29, as outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was ruled out early for the Week 13 MNF clash between the Giants and the Patriots.
Later, Salomone reported on the other final injury designations for the G-Men.
Although Thibodeaux was the only player who was ruled out this weekend, multiple players were listed as “questionable.” They were cornerback Korie Black (biceps), outside linebacker Victor Dimukeje (knee), and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (neck/knee).
As NorthJersey.com insider Art Stapleton noted at the time, the big takeaway from this update was that “Dexter Lawrence and Paulson Adebo are off the injury report and ready to go Monday night in Foxboro.”
Both did not practice much throughout the week, and were considered up in the air for Week 13 as of November 28. Needless to say, Lawrence and Adebo provide a huge boost for this defense, even if they aren’t 100 percent.
As for the others, their potential absences jive with Monday’s final roster moves. Dimukeje and Flannigan-Fowles are both core special teamers who play the same positions as Bozeman and Fox.
This could mean that the pair of injuries will be inactive against the Patriots, or it could just mean that the Giants want extra security in those areas with Dimukeje and Flannigan-Fowles banged up.
Jaxson Dart News Sparks Debate Amid Giants Return
The Giants will get quarterback Jaxson Dart back on the field for Monday Night Football, and all eyes will be on the rookie phenom and his health.
“Not expecting the Giants to call many, if any, designed runs for Jaxson Dart coming off a concussion,” ESPN NYG beat reporter Jordan Raanan stated ahead of the MNF game.
Adding: “One offensive [teammate] told ESPN he didn’t expect designed runs in this week’s game plan against the Patriots. That should help limit the hits that Dart takes.”
Of course, this sparked some debate on how cautious the Giants should be with Dart.
“Interesting. Not sure I agree with this,” SNY’s Connor Hughes reacted, commenting on Raanan’s post. “You don’t want to remove [the designed runs] entirely. It’s about understanding how/when to protect body.”
Hughes has a point. While keeping Dart on the field is imperative, attempting to change him as a player — as well as the offensive gameplan — takes away some of his greatest strengths.
At the end of the day, there has to be a middle ground. Can interim head coach Mike Kafka find that against the Patriots?
Giants Announce 3 Last-Minute Roster Moves Before MNF vs. Patriots