The New York Giants made four roster moves prior to practice on Wednesday, 8/5.
The Giants announced that they’ve placed defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris on the injured reserve, as well as waiving wide receiver Beaux Collins with an injury designation. Those two moves create a pair of needed roster openings after the team signed cornerbacks David Long and DJ James.
Long was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams out of Michigan in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has adequate size and speed, at 5-foot-11, 196 pounds, with a 4.45-second 40 at the 2019 Combine, though he does have elite quickness, agility, and explosiveness. Long’s 3-cone drill (6.45 seconds) and short shuttle (3.97 seconds) were by far the best among corners at the 2019 Combine.
Long bounced around the NFL after his first four seasons with the Rams, spending time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers (twice), and Indianapolis Colts. This is, in fact, Long’s second stint with the Giants, after he spent the 2024 off-season with the Giants before being waived in that year’s final roster cuts.
DJ James was originally drafted out of Auburn in the 6th round of the 2024 draft by the Seattle Seahawks. James started his collegiate career at Oregon before transferring to Auburn and was a highly regarded corner at both schools. He’s undersized at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, but has very good agility and short-area quickness, and he showed a good feel for both man and zone coverage in college. James was waived in the Seahawks’ final roster cuts and signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad in 2024, which is where he also spent 2025.
The Giants had previously hoped that DT Roy Robertson-Harris could return late in the season after suffering a torn Achilles early in the off-season. However, that hope has been put to rest and the Giants officially ended his season by placing him on the injured reserve prior to the start of the season. Robertson-Harris was a starter for the Giants in 2025 and was in line to compete for a starting job this year.
WR Beaux Collins was competing for a spot as a reserve wide receiver and special teams player. He signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame following the 2025 NFL Draft, and was the only undrafted player to make the team last year. Collins struggled with route running last year, but also became a favorite among fans after he generated highlight reel plays in camp and preseason games.