The New York Giants added defensive tackle Robert Thomas to their active roster, waiving defensive tackle Montori Hughes in a corresponding move.
After being waived by the Carolina Panthers, the New York Giants elected to add defensive tackle Robert Thomas to their 53-man squad. To make room for Thomas, New York chose to waive defensive tackle, Montori Hughes.
The #Giants have claimed DT Robert Thomas off waivers!
Details >> https://t.co/aEQUA7yj0k pic.twitter.com/jvaoKKDroM
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 4, 2016
The move to give Hughes the axe comes as a bit of a surprise seeing as he’d initially beaten out talented undrafted free agent Greg Milhouse and former 2014 third round pick Louis Nix for the final defensive tackle spot with a solid summer showing.
Throughout the preseason, Hughes notched six tackles and one sack with the Giants. During his previous three NFL seasons, Hughes had recorded 23 tackles through 23 games played. The Tennessee-Martin product is also only 26 years old (Thomas is 25), meaning he could’ve developed into a solid backup.
Thomas put together an impressive summer for the Panthers but lacks Hughes’ regular season experience. He’s recorded only one tackle in just one career NFL game.
Thomas had seven tackles this preseason and excelled mainly as a space-eater along the line of scrimmage.
Giants general manager Jerry Reese must have liked the tape on Thomas to exchange him for Hughes. While neither player was ever going to see much regular season action, it’s a curious move. Going with the offseason journeyman Thomas over the veteran Hughes (who had been with the team all summer and last year) is a head scratcher.
Thomas is only a reserve player right now, but his situation is worth keeping an eye on.
