Giants Finalize 53-Man Roster, Secure Berrios and Haener for Practice Squad

Key points

• The Giants trimmed their roster to 53 players, retaining Odell Beckham Jr. and Malik Nabers while cutting several wide receivers, including Jalin Hyatt and Dalen Cambre, who were subsequently re-signed to the practice squad.
• Braxton Berrios was released from the active roster but immediately re-signed to the practice squad, with expectations that he will be elevated for Week 1 to serve as the punt returner.
• Quarterback Jake Haener was signed to the practice squad as a developmental backup, while Brandon Allen was released without a practice squad offer.
• Inside linebacker Darius Muasau was the only Giants player claimed off waivers, joining the New England Patriots. All other waived players cleared waivers.
• The Giants traded a 2028 seventh-round pick for defensive end CJ Okoye, who is expected to compete for a starting role on the defensive line.

Background

This roster finalization follows the conclusion of the 2026 NFL preseason, where the Giants secured a 23-6 victory over the Jets. The team had previously navigated a 90-man roster limit, with earlier archive coverage noting that other teams like the Lions and Commanders were simultaneously managing their own cutdown deadlines and waiver priorities. The Giants' fifth-place position in the waiver claim order influenced their strategy for retaining players like Thomas Fidone II, who remained on the active roster to avoid waiver exposure.

How outlets are covering it

Sports Illustrated and The Athletic emphasized the strategic value of retaining Braxton Berrios and Jake Haener, noting Berrios' role as a punt returner and Haener's potential as a developmental quarterback. The Athletic highlighted the surprise nature of retaining Jalin Hyatt, a third-round pick from 2023 who had underperformed, while Sports Illustrated noted the Giants' decision to keep Odell Beckham Jr. on the active roster despite his age. The Bergen Record provided a real-time tracker of practice squad signings, confirming the return of Dalen Cambre and Grant Finley. Giants.com offered the official list of eight players released ahead of the deadline, including CB Ugo Amadi and RB Damon Bankston. There is no significant disagreement among outlets regarding the core roster decisions, but The Athletic noted that the Giants' retention of five tight ends may be temporary, with Thomas Fidone II potentially being moved to make room for Berrios' elevation.

Why it matters

The finalization of the 53-man roster and practice squad sets the stage for the Giants' 2026 regular season, which begins with a Sunday night game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 13. The retention of veteran players like Berrios and Beckham Jr. provides immediate depth and experience, while the signing of Haener and the trade for Okoye indicate a focus on long-term development and defensive upgrades. The Giants' ability to navigate waivers without losing key players, except for Muasau, suggests a stable roster foundation, though the team must manage practice squad elevations carefully to optimize Week 1 performance.

What to watch

The Giants will finalize their practice squad with four remaining spots to fill. They will monitor the health of Theo Johnson, whose shoulder injury could impact tight end depth. The team will also determine the starting lineup for the offensive line, particularly the backup center role between Bryan Hudson and Lucas Patrick. The Giants will prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, with Braxton Berrios expected to be elevated from the practice squad for the game.