The New York Giants confirmed another reported cut on August 24, as recent veteran signing K’Von Wallace will fall victim to the 53-man roster cutdown at the safety position. They also shifted rookie cornerback TJ Moore to the season-ending injured reserve, as expected.
The Giants announced they released S K’Von Wallace and put CB TJ Moore on IR,” The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reported on Sunday. “Thought Wallace would make a push for a backup job due to his experience and history with Shane Bowen, but he never did.
Duggan also added that “Raheem Layne was the fourth safety all offseason.” And that “Layne’s competition for a spot likely comes from an addition not on the roster.”
On Moore, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan relayed that the rookie “was in the building Sunday after surgery on his fractured leg. Coach Brian Daboll said he’s in good spirits despite the tough injury.”
Ex-Fourth-Round Talent K’Von Wallace Continues to Flame Out at NFL Level
GettyThe New York Giants have released veteran safety K’Von Wallace (right).
Wallace was a decently big prospect out of Clemson. The division rival Philadelphia Eagles even spent a fourth-round pick on him, and as Giants fans know all too well, Eagles GM Howie Roseman hits on most of his draft prospects.
After playing out the first three years of his rookie contract in Philadelphia, starting just 7 games, Wallace spent the 2023 campaign split between Arizona and Tennessee. Followed by a 2024 season in Seattle.
Wallace has found roles as a special teamer and backup safety throughout his career, but his original draft status never materialized as a potential starter on the back-end. And with the Giants, he won’t even land the reserve role.
Over 71 career regular season appearances and 4 playoff outings, Wallace has accumulated 168 total tackles, 9 pass breakups, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and fumble recovery, 2 tackles for a loss, and 2 QB hits. He’ll likely look to latch on with another NFL roster or practice squad.
Giants Reporter Predicted Raheem Layne Would Beat Out K’Von Wallace & Rookie Makari Paige for Final Safety Spot
The fourth safety job has been a hotly contested battle throughout the spring and summer. Undrafted rookie Makari Paige made an early push throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp, but it was Layne who seemed to retain the role throughout training camp.
As noted above, Wallace was also signed to raise the level of competition, but he failed to surpass his incumbent in the end.
On August 21, Duggan predicted that Layne would win the final safety role during his last 53-man roster projection before the cutdown.
“The top three safeties are locked in, with [Dane] Belton poised to play a role as a linebacker on passing downs,” Duggan wrote.
Continuing: “Layne held steady as the fourth safety all offseason before suffering a groin injury in Tuesday’s practice that sidelined him for the preseason finale. The injury is believed to be minor, but it’s bad timing for a player on the bubble.”
Although Duggan acknowledged that Layne’s injury “could open the door for Wallace, who has more experience and a history with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen but never moved up the depth chart during camp,” he ended up sticking with Layne.
As of August 24, he’s been proven correct, but there are still two days to go before the cutdown.
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