The Giants released rookie linebacker Tuzar Skipper Tuesday afternoon, in favor of veteran linebacker Deone Bucannon.

Bucannon, a Washington State product who was drafted 27th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, has played in 75 regular season games in his career, including 56 starts over the course of his time with the Cardinals and Buccaneers. 

The six year vet has career totals of 395 tackles (302 solo), 7.0 sacks and two interceptions. Bucannon has also defended 12 passes and forced seven fumbles-- recovering five of them.

The Giants are bringing in some more linebacker reinforcements, as the team announced the addition of LB Devante Downs, who was signed off the practice squad on Tuesday. 

Downs, a seventh-round pick in 2018 by the Vikings, has been on the Giants practice squad since Minnesota waived him at the end of September. He played in the Vikings' Week 2 and 3 games, but was cut shortly after. 

Mainly a special teams player in 2018, Downs played in 11 games for the Vikings, collecting only three tackles. But with the Giants needing some more depth at the linebacker position, it makes sense the Cal product was promoted. 

The NFL's trade deadline is no longer a wasteland of silence. 

In recent years, teams have become more willing to move pieces and players to improve their rosters for a potential playoff push, much like the rest of the North American sports leagues. 

The 2019 trade deadline is about a week away as player movement between teams will end on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. 

Since Daniel Jones lit it up down in Tampa during his first career start under center for the Giants, it hasn't been smooth sailing for the rookie quarterback. 

After Sunday's loss to the Cardinals at MetLife Stadium, Jones is now 1-3 since that win over the Bucs and his numbers haven't compared to that 336-yard, four-touchdown performance. 

Jones has thrown four touchdowns to seven interceptions in his last four games, while also fumbling three times against Arizona. It's the rookie growing pains that can be expected, which is why head coach Pat Shurmur didn't even entertain the notion that a quarterback change back to Eli Manning could be in the cards. 

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

Pat Shurmur hasn't distinguished himself as the Giants' head coach yet, losing far more games so far than he's won so far. And he's drawn plenty of criticism -- most of it deserved -- in his 23 games at the helm for more than a few head-scratching decisions.

He made another one on Sunday, late in the Giants' 27-21 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

But don't get too crazy. His brain freeze was not why the Giants' lost.

The Giants entered Week 7 with optimism after two of their top playmakers got cleared to return for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, but they still struggled on offense.

New York got a boost from running back Saquon Barkley, who wasn't at his best as he returned for the first time in three games, but tight end Evan Engram didn't even show up.

The team's leading receiver caught just one pass on five targets for five yards while the unit led by rookie quarterback Daniel Jones failed to overcome the Cardinals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the Giants fell 27-21.

Golden Tate minced no words Sunday when he measured his disappointment in the Giants' 27-21 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

"People spend their hard-earned money to sit in the rain and watch us do that," Tate said after the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the skies opened up for a cold and soggy afternoon. "It's just unacceptable."

Tate turned in another strong performance with six receptions for 80 yards (13.3 average), but the collective effort served New York (2-5) its third straight loss after it fell short against a middling Arizona (3-3-1) team.

Saquon Barkley didn't have his best game Sunday in the Giants' 27-21 loss to the Cardinals, but he gave New York's offense an element the unit missed dearly over the past few weeks.

After three games off from a high sprain to his right ankle in Week 3's 32-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Barkley came back at an opportunistic time against Arizona, but the Giants' offense as a whole failed to produce.

Barkley took 18 carries for 72 yards a touchdown, a seven-yard run with 8:13 left in the fourth quarter to bring the Giants (2-5) within a 24-21 deficit of the Cardinals (3-3-1), but managed only eight yards on three receptions throughout pouring rain at MetLife Stadium.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Daniel Jones was nearly picked off on his first pass of the game. Then he was picked off at the end of the Giants' first drive. Before he could catch his breath, the Giants were down 17-0. And in the end he was sacked eight times.

Give the Giants rookie quarterback this much credit: Despite all that, he never flinched. And that's certainly something, especially considering he was making just his fifth NFL start.

But Jones is going to need to do a lot more than that if the Giants are going to start to win.

The Giants fell to the Cardinals 27-21 on Sunday afternoon, following three total turnovers from rookie quarterback Daniel Jones.

Jones lost two fumbles and threw one interception, while also getting sacked eight times in the loss. It wasn't all Jones' fault, however, as the defense allowed Cardinals backup, second-year running back Chase Edmonds to rush for a career-high 126 yards and three touchdowns.

After the game, head coach Pat Shurmur explained what went wrong during the game.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Giants used six of their first eight picks in the last NFL draft on defensive players, and 10 of 16 from Dave Gettleman's first two drafts overall.

In the 2020 NFL draft, they're going to have to use more.

It is increasingly obvious that there's just not enough talent on that side of the ball for the Giants to truly be competitive in the NFL. Faced with a very beatable Arizona Cardinals team with a rookie quarterback at the helm and a driving rain in the second half, the Giants defense fell into a quick 17-0 hole and then couldn't hold it's ground much better in the second half.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

You can make the case that if Aaron Judge had hit in the ALCS like Jose Altuve -- the guy who beat him out for MVP in 2017 -- the Yankees would still be alive in this postseason, and indeed that is sometimes the difference between winning and losing in October.

Your star needs to be better than their star.

However, I would argue that even if the Yankees were still alive, they'd have only the tiniest of chances to win Game 7 against the hottest pitcher in baseball, Gerrit Cole.

The 2-4 Giants return home to face the 2-3-1 Cardinals on FOX. Here's what you need to know about where to watch...

DATE/TIME: Oct. 20, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. ET

NETWORK: FOX

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Giants began building for 2020 the moment they made the switch from Eli Manning to Daniel Jones at quarterback one month ago. They said all the right things about hoping to make a run for the playoffs, and that's not out of reach. But they know their real target for contention is now next year.

That makes the Oct. 29 trading deadline an interesting one for Giants GM Dave Gettleman. It's a chance to accumulate draft picks to continue the youth movement he began back in March if he decides to get rid of some veterans and their bloated contracts. Of course, right now they're only one game out of first place in the NFC East.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Eli Manning has expressed no interest in waiving his no-trade clause. The Giants have shown no indication they'd be willing to trade him anyway. And his value around the league right now isn't exactly high.

But with the injury to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Thursday night, could all that change?

That's what a few people around the NFL wondered in the immediate aftermath of the knee injury suffered by Mahomes. The preliminary reports indicated the NFL's reigning MVP might only miss about three games, so maybe the Chiefs will be comfortable going forward with journeyman quarterback Matt Moore. But they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender and could be interested in an upgrade, especially if there's a chance Mahomes could be out longer.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur played it coy following Friday's practice, but, barring a setback, it appears that both Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram will be back in action when the team takes on the Cardinals in Week 7 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. 

Barkley has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Week 3, while Engram missed last week's Thursday night clash with the Patriots due to a strained MCL. 

Both players have been full participants at practice since Wednesday and neither was listed on the team's official injury report on Friday, but Shurmur won't commit to anything further just yet. 

Giants WR Sterling Shepard will not be cleared from concussion protocol in time to play in Week 7 against the Cardinals, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirmed Friday.

Shepard has been participating in individual drills at practice this week but has been doing so in a non-contact jersey.

Vacchiano reported after Shepard suffered his second concussion of the season in Week 5 against the Vikings that he would be out "a while" and there is a chance that he will also miss Week 8 against the Lions in Detroit. 

Saquon Barkley was, once again, a full practice participant for the Giants on Thursday. So it's safe to say he'll be available for the team when they play the Cardinals on Sunday, right? 

"Taking it day-by-day," the star running back told the media after practice. "This week of practice, obviously you guys all know that I've been fully participating. ...Hopefully be out there for my teammates soon."

That's been Barkley's go-to phrase to use throughout this process of healing very quickly from his high ankle sprain he sustained against the Bucs in Week 3. But Barkley also had a wide smile on his face when asked if he just has to wait for the doctors to officially clear him, repeating that he will take things day-by-day. 

Golden Tate had to wait four games to get back on the field, but when he got his chance in his New York Giants debut, he was quiet.

The veteran wide receiver recorded three receptions on six targets and 13 yards in Oct. 6's 28-10 loss against the Minnesota Vikings.

Despite a quick turnaround and another negative team result in Oct. 10's 35-14 loss to the New England Patriots, Tate took a big step in the right direction when he caught six passes on nine targets and broke out for 102 yards -- including a 64-yard touchdown.

Once perceived as one of New York's top quarterback targets before the 2019 NFL draft, No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray has a chance to show the Giants what they missed out on Sunday when he leads the Cardinals into their Week 6 game.

The 1 p.m. kickoff at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, figures to be pivotal for both sides with the Giants (2-4) and Cardinals (2-3-1) trending different ways from the past two weeks' results.

New York and Arizona also happen to be led by the first two quarterbacks taken off the board in April, with No. 6 overall pick Daniel Jones leading the Giants into the upcoming showdown between the top-10 picks.

Without running back Saquon Barkley since the second-year playmaker suffered his high sprained right ankle in Sept. 22's 32-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New York Giants hope to have him back as he goes through practice with Week 7 on deck against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Giants (2-4) have been plagued by injuries on offense since Barkley went down, losing backup running back Wayne Gallman (concussion) among the absent skill players.

After consecutive losses to the Minnesota Vikings (28-10, Oct. 6) and New England Patriots (35-14, Oct. 10) in Weeks 5 and 6, the Giants have an opportunity for a rebound with Sunday's 1 p.m. kickoff against the Cardinals (2-3-1), but will Barkley be back?

For Giants fans, it was great news to hear TE Evan Engram was a full practice participant along with RB Saquon Barkley on Wednesday. That's a great sign that Engram will be available for the Giants on Sunday against the Cardinals after missing last game with a sprained MCL in his left knee. 

And if that is the case, it couldn't be better timing for the playmaker. 

The Cardinals have struggled mightily this season on the defensive side of the ball. They currently rank 30th in the league in total defense, with the 30th ranking in pass defense with 281.2 yards allowed per game. 

Rookie CB Corey Ballentine has been placed in the NFL's concussion protocol after complaining about persistent headahces, the Giants announced Wednesday.

Ballentine, who did not practice Wednesday, had previously played in all six games this season for New York, with most of his snaps coming on special teams.

Ballentine joined Sterling Shepard, Wayne Gallman and Olsen Pierre -- all of whom were limited in practice -- in the concussion protocol.

Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram were full participants at Giants practice on Wednesday, setting themselves up to play Sunday against the Cardinals, barring any setbacks.

Barkley (ankle), Engram (knee) and Sterling Shepard (concussion) all took part in individual drills at practice Wednesday, though Shepard was a limited participant.

The developments from all three players comes at the perfect time, as the Giants are still very much in the race for the NFC East division title, with the Cowboys and Eagles just one game ahead at 3-3. 

Andre Williams gets another chance at professional football, but the former Giants running back does so outside of the NFL.

Most recently with Big Blue during the 2014 season, the four-year NFL running back headlined several players with ties to New York's teams -- the Jets and Giants -- taken Tuesday among the 2020 XFL draft's skill-player selections, picked by the Houston Roughnecks.

The Giants selected Williams from Boston College with the No. 133 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He spent two of his four seasons with the Giants from 2014-15, taking 305 carries for 978 yards (3.2 average) and eight touchdowns.

To snap a two-game losing streak, the Giants will have to beat the Cardinals in their home stadium. And though they are 2-3-1 on the season, Arizona still offers a tough challenge, especially in the form of rookie quarterback Kyler Murray. 

This year's No. 1 overall draft pick has showed off that pocket presence to go along with his elusive legs between the hashes. For the Giants to have any success against Murray, being able to contain him will be a must. 

Head coach Pat Shurmur discussed Murray's skill set at practice on Monday, and he has been impressed by what he's seen from him thus far. 

The Giants are looking to snap their two-game losing streak this week against the Cardinals after falling to the Patriots last Thursday on the road. And with this 10-day gap between games, they're also hoping to see some of their key performers return to the field as well. 

Saquon Barkley is the obvious name there, but head coach Pat Shurmur wouldn't delve into that topic, saying "we'll see" if the star running back will be back on the field Sunday. 

Other than Barkley, Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard are two offensive playmakers whom the Giants definitely missed against New England. Engram has been dealing with a left knee sprain, while Shepard is working himself back from his second concussion this season. Wayne Gallman was also out with a concussion he sustained during the loss to the Vikings in Week 5. 

Giants RB Saquon Barkley suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 3 against the Buccaneers. Here's the latest on his prognosis and potential timeframe to return...

Oct. 14, 12:09 PM:

Barkley was back on the practice field Monday, as the Giants prepare for their Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. That is when the star running back is expected to return to the team, but head coach Pat Shurmur responded with, "we'll see" when asked about it. 

It's early in the week, but Barkley was pushing to return against the Patriots last Thursday. A 10-day gap is between these two games, so optimisim should remain high that No. 26 is back in his pads and in the backfield come Sunday. 

The Giants wide receiving corps has taken its fair share of losses early this season, and unfortunately it continued this past week with Sterling Shepard out against the Patriots as he dealt with his second concussion already this season. 

Shepard's status for Week 7 is also up in the air, so the Giants are bringing back a familiar face to fill what could be a void this Sunday. 

Bennie Fowler has re-signed with the Giants, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirmed. Releasing Nate Stupar was the corresponding move to place Fowler on the 53-man roster.

The Giants are still in a holding pattern when it comes to Saquon Barkley's availability for next Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Needing some depth at the running back position, the Giants on Friday signed four-year veteran Javorius "Buck" Allen.

Pat Shurmur gave a very noncommittal 'We'll see" answer on Friday regarding Barkley's status. 

The team reportedly worked out three running backs on Friday, according to ESPN's Field Yates: CJ Anderson, Akeem Hunt, and Allen, with Allen ultimately inking a deal with the team.  

Thursday night's 35-14 loss to the Patriots was the worst game of quarterback Daniel Jones' brief NFL career. The rookie went 15-for-31 passing for 161 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions, equaling the total he had in his first three starts combined. 

Jones talked after the game about how he wanted and needed to play better, and after a night to think about the performance, his tune hadn't changed all that much.

When asked on a Friday conference call if he plans on having Saquon Barkley back in uniform for their Week 7 contest against the Arizona Cardinals, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur remained noncommital. 

"We'll see," Shurmur before saying that the running back was "out running around" at the practice facility today. Barkley has been with the team at practice for about a week since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 3 that was initially expected to keep him out for 4-6 weeks.

With Wayne Gallman (concussion) also out Thursday, the Giants elevated Austin Walker from the practice squad to suit up against the Patriots. But he was waived on Friday, which could be some indication that one or both of the team's injured running backs is ready to return.

The Giants have re-signed quarterback Alex Tanney and waived running back Austin Walter, the team announced on Friday.

Prior to Thursday's loss to the Patriots, the Giants -- in desparate need of running back depth without Saquon Barkley and Wayne Gallman -- waived Tanney and elevated Walter from the practice squad. Walter did not get a carry, but did see the field for one snap on Thursday.

Tanney will return to his role as the team's third-string quarterback behind Daniel Jones and Eli Manning. He was inactive for the first five games of the season before his brief release for Thursday's game.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The fourth start of Eli Manning's career back in 2004 was an unmitigated disaster. He was lost that day against the Baltimore Ravens. He looked rattled, completing only four of his 18 passes. He threw two interceptions and was eventually benched.

On the train ride back to New Jersey that night, Manning had a long, heart-to-heart talk with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, and the next day he met with Tom Coughlin to do the same. They figured out a way for him to get comfortable in the offense. They discussed the plays that worked best and the ones he liked to run.

Facing Tom Brady and the Patriots high-powered offense was no easy task for the offense, but in the early going of Thursday's 35-14 defeat, the Giants defense held tough. 

The final stats for New England were gaudy, as they piled up 427 yards of total offense, including 334 through the air.

On the Patriots first seven drives,though, the Giants defense held them to just 148 yards of total offense (just 21.1 per drive), and 53 of those yards game on the Pats' opening drive, which ended with a fourth-down stop by the Giants defense. 

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - No one ever thought it was going to be easy for Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones.

OK, that's not true. A lot of people thought he was the elixir that was going to cure everything that ails the Giants. But the reality always was that once he was given Eli Manning's old job, the 2019 season became all about his growth and learning on the job. 

So consider his encounter with Tom Brady on Thursday night another difficult learning experience for the 22-year-old. He threw three interceptions and struggled most of the night, going 15 of 31 for 161 yards in a 35-14 loss to the defending Super Bowl champs.

All eyes have been on Daniel Jones since he was named the Giants starting quarterback prior to their Week 3 matchup with the Buccaneers.

And while it's the on-field results that matter the most to Giants fans, Jones' pregame arrival videos have become a bit of a phenomenon, mainly because of the internet outcry concerning Jones' fashion sense.

So, without further ado, here is the definite power rankings of the rookie's arrival videos since being named the starting QB. 

The 2-3 Giants travel to play the 5-0 Patriots Thursday at 8:20 p.m. on NFL Network. Here's what you need to know about where to watch...

DATE/TIME: Oct. 10, 2019 at 8:20 p.m. ET

NETWORK: NFL Network and Fox

Prior to the Giants' game against the New England Patriots on Thursday night, the team waived quarterback Alex Tanney while promoting running back Austin Walter from the practice squad, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.

That means Eli Manning will be the Giants only other active quarterback, behind rookie Daniel Jones. 

Tanney, the 31-year-old journeyman QB, has played in just one NFL game since entering the league in 2012. He completed 10 of 14 passes for 99 yards and one touchdown for the Tennessee Titans in 2015.

As the Giants look to rebound, they do so without four of their best players on offense.

Running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and tight end Evan Engram (knee) joined running back Wayne Gallman and wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who have concussions, Wednesday as out for Thursday's game against the New England Patriots.

Facing the NFL's No. 1 unit in the three categories of 6.8 points, 160.4 passing yards and 238.4 total yards per game, the key absences and short turnaround for Week 6 puts more pressure on Daniel Jones, but the Giants (2-3) need the rookie quarterback and others to step up at the Patriots (5-0).

Without either of its top two running backs available for Week 6's game against the New England Patriots, the New York Giants offense turns to third- and fourth-string players on the depth chart.

The injured Giants (2-3) get the undefeated Patriots (5-0) Thursday at 8:20 p.m. ET after the team ruled out starter Saquon Barkley (ankle) and backup Wayne Gallman (concussion) among four offensive players sidelined, throwing the next men up into the spotlight.

Those are Eli Penny and Jon Hilliman, who have ascended to the top of the rotation after they started their 2019 campaigns as afterthoughts behind the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year and a third-year Giant.

As if the Giants had enough ground to make up for Thursday against the Patriots, New York now enters the Week 6 game at New England without several keys players on offense.

Running back Saquon Barkely (ankle) and tight end Evan Engram (knee) are officially ruled out for the Giants' 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., as are wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) and running back Wayne Gallman (concussion).

The Giants announced the news Wednesday on Twitter.

Only one day remains for the Giants to prepare for the undefeated Patriots, who they'll face on the road in Foxborough on Thursday Night Football. And that preparation includes trying to be as healthy as possible playing on a short week. 

For the Giants' offense, it has been rough. Wayne Gallman and Sterling Shepard will more than likely be out with their concussions suffered from the loss to the Vikings on Sunday. Saquon Barkley's high ankle sprain has recovered remarkably with him seen cutting and running at practice for a little over a week now, but it's still uncertain that he plays. And finally, Evan Engram reportedly has a sprained MCL in his left knee, which could sideline him, too. 

Those are a lot of playmakers to be without, but luckily on the defensive side of the ball, things are a tad brighter. 

With both sides of the ball riddled with injuries, having a short week -- on the road against the undefeated Patriots nonetheless -- isn't ideal for the Giants, to say the least. And head coach Pat Shurmur doesn't really want to talk about it. 

Speaking after practice on Tuesday, Shurmur didn't go deep into his injury situation that involves Wayne Gallman and Sterling Shepard dealing with concussions, Saquon Barkley still up in the air with his high ankle sprain, and now Evan Engram potentially being out with what ESPN's Adam Schefter is hearing as a sprained MCL on his left knee. Lorenzo Carter was also limited once again with a neck injury. 

But, other than Gallman and Shepard's documented concussions and being in the protocol, he was mute.

The Giants' offense just keeps taking blows, as TE Evan Engram looks to have suffered a sprained MCL, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

Engram was out of practice on Monday with what head coach Pat Shurmur called "game soreness."

It is unknown which knee it is, but Engram suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain on his right knee in Week 3 last season. In turn, he missed the next three games in what was a tough sophomore season where he couldn't really get into a groove with his injuries. He also suffered a hamstring strain later in that season. 

There were some questions surrounding how Giants wide receiver Golden Tate felt following his season debut against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. 

Tate, who returned from a four-game suspension to start his Giants career, said following the 28-10 loss, that he would've liked more touches. 

"Obviously I wish I had a few more opportunities to help us win," Tate said.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

Sterling Shepard is out for the Giants' game in New England on Thursday night, and it seems like he'll probably miss the game against the Arizona Cardinals 10 days later, too. A source said that he is likely to be out a while, given his recent history of concussions.

That means the Giants will have to replace him for at least the next few weeks.

Now, Giants coach Pat Shurmur wouldn't rule out going with the four healthy receivers on the roster -- Golden Tate, Cody Latimer, rookie Darius Slayton and special teamer Cody Core -- at least for the near future. Eventually, though, they may need more depth, especially if Shepard's absence extends into November.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur met with the media late in the afternoon Monday and gave an update on the status of multiple players after the team went through walkthroughs instead of practice.

Saquon Barkley has been making progress over the last few weeks and has been eyeing Thursday night's game against the Patriots as his return game, as first reported by SNY's Ralph Vacchiano, but Barkley was listed as "limited" for today's simulated practice, and Shurmur has yet to declare Barkley ready.

Shurmur did say "there's a possibility" Barkley plays Thursday and that he is "closer than he was last week."

In his young career, Giants running back Saquon Barkley has yet to face the New England Patriots. Still, due to his ankle injury, it's questionable whether or not the Giants' workhorse will get that chance in Week 6.

The Giants and Patriots meet on a short week, as the two face each other at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Thursday Night Football to kickoff Week 6 of the NFL's weekend slate. 

If Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had his way, Barkley's debut against the Pats will be put on hold.