The New York Giants made an effort to fill out their practice squad on August 28, signing three players after a long list of tryouts came to town.
KPRC 2 NFL insider Aaron Wilson relayed them all on X, courtesy of the league’s transaction notice.
“[The] Giants worked out Isaiah Bolden, McClendon Curtis, Darrian Dalcourt, Zach Davison, Taylor Elgersma, Luke Grimm, Maxen Hook, Qadir Ismail, Kingsley Jonathan, Jakobie Keeney-James, Zack Kuntz, Caden Prieskorn, Deantre Prince, Ethan Robinson, Caden Sterns, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Marcus Yarns,” Wilson noted.
Of those 17 players, Big Blue ended up signing one name on the list to their practice squad, per NorthJersey.com beat reporter Art Stapleton.
“[The] Giants are signing TE Qadir Ismail to the practice squad, per source,” Stapleton reported. “Ismail is the son of Qadry and nephew of the Rocket. Undrafted rookie last year has been with [the Baltimore] Ravens and [Las Vegas] Raiders, and played his college ball at Villanova and Samford.”
Qadry and Rocket Ismail were both NFL wide receivers and brothers who achieved multiple 1,000-yard seasons. Between the two of them, they accumulated four 1000-yard campaigns (two each).
Qadry Ismail, Qadir’s father, also won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2000, posting 150 receiving yards over four playoff starts that winter.
At age 28, the 6-foot-6 Qadir Ismail has yet to enjoy the success of his father and uncle. In fact, the younger Ismail has yet to appear in a regular season NFL game.
He’ll attempt to prove himself with the Giants, although that could be difficult, considering there are already four quality tight ends on the roster.
Giants Also Sign Safety Patrick McMorris & Linebacker Swayze Bozeman
Along with Ismail, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reported that the Giants signed two more practice squad additions on August 28. Although neither was listed among the tryouts.
“The Giants added LB Swayze Bozeman and S Patrick McMorris to the practice squad,” Duggan informed. “Bozeman spent most of last season on the [Kansas City] Chiefs’ practice squad as an undrafted rookie. McMorris appeared in six games on special teams as a rookie for the [Miami] Dolphins last season.”
This is another clear case of the Giants wanting to add special teams experience and depth on the practice squad, in case they need to elevate a player who can chip in at that department.
The Chiefs utilized all three of Bozeman’s practice squad elevations in 2024, which was the 26-year-old’s rookie season. He appeared on 57 special teams snaps compared to just 7 defensive snaps in 2024.
As for McMorris, the 2024 sixth-round pick has a similar track record, as Duggan alluded.
According to Pro Football Reference, McMorris logged 97 special teams snaps as a rookie, compared to just 8 defensive snaps. He’s the third defensive back/special teamer that the Giants have acquired since the 53-man roster cutdown earlier this week.
Giants Expected to Utilize Final Practice Spot on Draft Pick Korie Black
According to Stapleton, there is still one open spot on the NYG practice squad as of August 28, but he believes the Giants are reserving that final job for 2025 draft pick Korie Black.
“When Korie Black re-signs, they’ll have 17 on [the] practice squad,” Stapleton told a fan on Thursday, after he was asked if the NYG practice squad is now full.
Black was a seventh-round selection out of Oklahoma State who barely took the field during the preseason. Per Pro Football Focus, the rookie CB played a total of 12 preseason snaps against the New York Jets, and that’s it.
Black was credited with 1 solo tackle and 1 tackle assist. He was targeted once in pass coverage, but did not allow a catch.
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