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Giants Elevate RB Taiwan Jones from Practice Squad

Why this is a very good and encouraging move for the Giants.

Patricia Traina

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The New York Giants have elevated veteran running back Taiwan Jones from their practice squad ahead of Sunday's regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones has played in 137 regular-season games and ten postseason contests for the Raiders, Bills, and Texans. The 6-0, 195-pounder career totals include 53 rushing attempts for 223 yards, 19 receptions for 260 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown, 84 kickoff returns for a 22.7-yard average, and 79 special teams tackles. 

Although listed as a running back, Jones had no rushing attempts for receptions in the previous three seasons with Buffalo. Last year, he had five special teams tackles for the Bills.

Jones's elevation comes as no surprise as the Giants may be a little short-staffed on special teams, with defensive backs Cor'Dale Flott and Gervarrius Owens both listed as doubtful and both unlikely to play Sunday night and with linebacker Cam Brown listed as questionable. All three players are thought to be among the Giants' core special teamers.

That the Giants did not elevate a tight end for the game is a positive sign for Darren Waller, who landed on the injured list Friday after being unable to finish his practice reps. Waller was listed as having a hamstring issue, but it was thought that he simply experienced tightness in one of his hamstrings, and he and the team decided to play it safe by cutting short his practice time, given his history of hamstring issues.

The Giants have until 90 minutes before Sunday night's kickoff to file their inactive list. Waller will continue to receive treatment to ensure he is good to go for the game, and he'll also likely test out his hamstring before the game to ensure he has no further issues that might warrant shutting him down for this week. 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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