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Giants Roster Moves: Ojulari to IR, DeVito, Pugh Elevated

Here is a look at the Giants' latest roster moves ahead of their game against Buffalo.

Patricia Traina

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The New York Giants have elevated offensive lineman Justin Pugh and quarterback Tommy DeVito from their practice squad ahead of their Sunday night game against the Buffalo Bills and have signed offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield to the 53-man roster after placing outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari on injured reserve (ankle).

New York is paper-thin on the offensive line, so the moves to add Pugh and Mayfield are not unexpected. Other than for Evan Neal, who is dealing with a knee injury and is listed as questionable, the Giants' only other true offensive tackles are Andrew Thomas (hamstring) and Matt Peart (shoulder), both of whom have been declared out ahead of the game.

Mayfield provides depth at guard and tackle. If Neal can play through his injury, the projected starting offensive line figures to be Joshua Ezeudu at left tackle, Pugh at left guard, Ben Bredeson at center, Marcus McKethan at right guard, and Neal at right tackle. 

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If Neal can't play, Mayfield could end up as the tackle. Shane Lemieux (groin), listed as questionable, will back up Bredeson at center if needed.

As expected, the Giants also elevated Devito, thanks to Daniel Jones being declared out. Jones is believed to be week-tp-week with his neck injury suffered last week against Miami.

That DeVito, who will back up Tyrod Taylor, wasn't signed to the 53-man roster could suggest that Jones's injury isn't long-term or they have plans to add a veteran quarterback at some point in the ensuing week.

Ojulari missed two games earlier this year with a hamstring injury. He played all 17 games as a rookie, but has now missed 13 games over the last two years. He's a talented edge rusher who can make a difference, but his constant injury issue is getting tiresome.

The Giants play the Bills on Sunday Night Football, with kickoff set for 8:20 p.m.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for over three decades for various media outlets. She is the host of the Locked On Giants podcast and the author of "The Big 50: New York Giants: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants" (Triumph Books, September 2020). View Patricia's full bio.

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